Koch leads charge to allow state to consider nuclear energy option

The Senate energy committee considered Sen. Amy Koch’s plan that would, after a 16-year ban, allow nuclear power to be considered as an option for Minnesota’s future growing energy needs.  Deciding to repeal the prohibition is not a decision to construct a new nuclear power plant in Minnesota, but lifting the ban would allow our electricity providers and our utilities commission to consider all options.

State law currently prohibits the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission from approving a Certificate of Need for constructing a new nuclear power plant.  The bill passed the Minnesota Senate with solid bipartisan support in 2009, and the issue of nuclear power has growing support from both major parties in Congress and the Obama administration.

Plans for new nuclear power plants are progressing in other states.  The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission currently is reviewing 12 applications to construct and operate 20 new nuclear units in 10 states.  A new nuclear facility would create a substantial number of construction jobs and a significant number of positions of support to provide goods and services to that workforce, about 700 permanent jobs that pay about a third more than average.  It would also contribute significant and reliable baseload power for future Minnesota energy needs. Unfortunately, a surprise amendment was passed by the DFL majority members of the committee at the end of the hearing that gutted the bill of its intent.  Later attempts to amend the issue on to other bills on the Senate floor were defeated.