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Committee backs bill to expedite permitting for advanced nuclear generation
Summary
Senate Bill 127 would authorize DEQ to create an expedited permitting program and a federal permitting parity pathway for small modular reactors; the committee moved the bill favorably after adopting an amendment clarifying definitions.
The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on April 22 moved Senate Bill 127 favorably. The bill authorizes the secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a program to expedite processing of environmental permits, modifications, licenses, registrations or variances for applicants proposing advanced nuclear power generation, including small modular reactors.
Secretary Giacometo of the Department of Environmental Quality testified the department supports the bill as a way to "streamline the permitting process for advanced nuclear power generation" and said nuclear "is an essential part of the mix among the energy sources that powers Louisiana's homes and its businesses." She told the committee Louisiana became an agreement state with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1967 and that DEQ serves as liaison to the NRC.
Senator Bass, the bill sponsor, said the measure creates a federal permitting parity program that would allow electric public utilities to seek expedited state air and water permits while pursuing federal NRC review for reactor licensing. The committee adopted an amendment that clarifies which entities qualify as "electric public utilities," adding a definition that references RS 45 1 21 and explicitly includes developers, designers, owners, operators and customers of small modular reactors.
Committee members asked about federal versus state authority. Secretary Giacometo and the sponsor said the bill does not remove NRC authority; federal regulation of reactor licensing would remain. Members raised questions about emergency response, security and nuclear waste; DEQ witnesses said emergency response and safety training exist for larger plants and would be scaled as needed, and said waste handling depends on reactor design and would follow applicable federal requirements. Supporters on the record included representatives from Dow Inc. and other companies; several supporters filed witness cards but did not speak.
Senator Stein moved the bill favorably as amended and the committee chair reported no objection; the committee recorded no roll-call vote. The bill will advance to the full Senate for further consideration.
