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Commissioners delay vote on resolution backing small modular reactor bills to review language
Summary
A proposed Van Buren County resolution supporting Michigan House Bills 4124 and 4129 on small modular reactors was introduced but deferred to the board's next meeting after commissioners requested time to review bill language and possible impacts on safety-related hurdles.
The board considered a draft resolution on March 11 seeking Van Buren County support for Michigan House Bills 4124 and 4129, which the sponsor said would promote next-generation nuclear technology including small modular reactors.
John (county staff) presented the request, saying aides for Representative Quenzo and Senator Nesbitt had asked the county to adopt the resolution to meet a legislative timeline in Lansing. Several commissioners said they had not yet read the full bill language and expressed concern about phrasing that would "remove obstacles or hurdles," worrying that necessary safety requirements should not be waived.
After brief discussion, commissioners agreed to delay action and carry the resolution forward for formal consideration at the board's March 25 meeting to allow time for review. No formal record of support or opposition was taken on March 11; the motion to withdraw the item and place it on the next agenda was carried.
A board member suggested staff circulate the bills and demonstrate how to access them via the Michigan Legislature website (legislature.mi.gov) prior to the next meeting. The item will return to a future agenda with the bills available for members to review before voting.
