Committee advances amended repeal of nuclear electricity tax exemption, folding nuclear and solar into $1/MWh framework
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Summary
After testimony from TerraPower, NEI, mining groups and business coalitions, the Revenue Committee amended 26LSO190 to repeal the standalone nuclear exemption and instead place nuclear (and solar) under a $1 per megawatt‑hour generation framework aligned with the wind MWh tax (three‑year start window); the amended measure passed the committee 9–3.
The Revenue Committee advanced, as amended, a measure that removes a special long‑term sales tax exemption for "advanced" nuclear reactors and brings nuclear and solar generation into the same $1 per megawatt‑hour framework as the existing wind MWh provision with a three‑year start window.
TerraPower and industry groups urged the committee not to repeal the exemption. "Repealing the nuclear electricity tax exemption would fundamentally change the state's investment environment," Andrew Richards of TerraPower told the committee, arguing the existing exemption and the requirement to source a high proportion of domestic uranium were important incentives that helped attract the Natrium demonstration to Kemmer.
Jonathan Rund of the Nuclear Energy Institute said Wyoming’s early move to lift a nuclear moratorium and the exemption were key reasons companies considered Wyoming; he warned that repealing the exemption would risk follow‑on commercial projects and supply chain clustering elsewhere. Local mining representatives and the Wyoming Mining Association testified that a domestic fuel incentive supports Wyoming uranium production and national security priorities.
Committee discussion led to an amendment that repealed the existing nuclear chapter but inserted nuclear and solar generation into the wind MWh chapter and set a $1/MWh rate (with no change to wind) and a three‑year exempt start period for new production. Committee members who supported the amendment said it evens the field among generation types while still preserving a modest state charge; opponents said any tax would risk deterring large, long‑term capital investments in advanced nuclear.
The committee advanced the measure as amended on a roll call vote (9 in favor, 3 opposed). LSO will prepare final bill language and conforming amendments for the next steps.
