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Bill > SB996


OR SB996

Relating to small modular reactor energy facilities.


summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Legislative Measures

Bill Summary

The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: Allows the siting of a power plant that uses one or more small modular reactors. Ex- empts the siting from the law that requires there to be a place for radioactive waste to be disposed of before a nuclear power plant may be sited in this state. (Flesch Readability Score: 68.6). Allows the siting and operation of a small modular reactor energy facility without requiring that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

AI Summary

This bill allows for the siting and operation of small modular reactor (SMR) energy facilities in Oregon by modifying existing energy facility laws. The bill defines a small modular reactor as an advanced nuclear reactor with a capacity of 300 electrical megawatts or less, composed of factory-fabricated components that can be transported and assembled on-site, potentially in combination with similar reactors at a single location. Specifically, the legislation exempts small modular reactor energy facilities from current state laws (ORS 469.595 and 469.599) that previously required a licensed repository for radioactive waste disposal before a nuclear power plant could be sited. This means that SMR facilities can now be developed and operated without first demonstrating a permanent solution for high-level radioactive waste storage, which represents a significant change in Oregon's approach to nuclear energy development. The bill aims to potentially facilitate the development of smaller, potentially more flexible nuclear power generation in the state by removing a previous regulatory barrier.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred to Energy and Environment. (on 02/10/2025)

bill text


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