Wisconsin's state Senate has approved of a bill that would pave the way for new nuclear power plants in the state, as long as Gov. Scott Walker signs it.
The state enacted a virtual moratorium on building new nuclear plants in the 1980s by stipulating that no plant could be build unless there was a federal repository for spent fuel – and none still exists – and that there be no negative impact on Wisconsin ratepayers.
The one-two punch effectively eliminated the chance for a new nuclear plant in the state. Although now facing daunting economic headwinds, the industry could have the opening for new construction presented to them when the governor signs the new bill.
The state's assembly approved of the bill in January. State senators on Tuesday voted 23-9 in favor of the bill.
Meanwhile, Midwest Energy News reports that Michigan has announced it would suspend its work on development of a Clean Power Plan strategy, owing to the Supreme Court ruling last week that put the Obama administration's power generation improvement plan on hold. Other states may do the same, while the plan's legality is in dispute.