Committee recommends lifting state restriction so energy research center can study nuclear issues

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 2159, a measure to remove language that has been interpreted to prevent the state Energy and Environmental Research Center's State Energy Research Center from studying issues related to nuclear energy, including spent-fuel handling.

"There is a provision that prohibits research relating to exploration, storage, treatment, or disposal of high level radioactive waste," Tyler Hammond of the Energy and Environmental Research Center told the committee. He and sponsor Senator David Hogue said that prohibition has constrained the center's ability to assist legislative study of nuclear options. Hammond noted that an existing, separate statute — North Dakota Century Code chapter 38-23-01 — still prohibits placement, storage, testing or disposal of high-level radioactive waste within the state; that prohibition would remain unchanged by the bill.

Sponsor Senator David Hogue said the interim energy committee spent months touring facilities and studying energy options, and concluded that the state should be able to use the EERC's technical expertise if the Legislature requests study of nuclear development. Committee members asked about public acceptance and how spent fuel is managed at facilities elsewhere; witnesses described interim storage practices at other sites and noted no federal permanent repository currently available.

The committee moved a due-pass recommendation; the roll call recorded 6 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The bill was reported out of committee for further consideration.