Legislature advances study of advanced nuclear energy; adds small modular and water resources representation

House Bill 1025, a measure to create a legislative study on advanced nuclear energy in North Dakota, cleared the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a voice/roll vote after amendment on Thursday.

The study, sponsored in testimony by Senator David Hogue, would create an interim legislative committee to evaluate the feasibility, costs, community readiness and other implications of advanced nuclear development in the state. "House Bill 1025 is essentially a product of the interim Energy Development and Transition Committee," said Senator David Hogue, a state senator from District 38.

Committee members adopted two amendments before passing the bill. Representative Anderson added language to require the study to examine small modular and micro nuclear reactors — lower-capacity designs that proponents say can be sited and constructed more quickly than very large nuclear units. Representative Anderson described small modular reactors as "usually considered under 300 megawatts" and said they may be suitable where faster, smaller deployment is desirable. The…