Bill > HB2090

This bill seeks to integrate advanced nuclear energy into Washington state's energy strategy by directing the Department of Commerce to develop a comprehensive nuclear power strategic framework. The bill acknowledges the state's ambitious decarbonization goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050 and transitioning to 100% renewable or nonemitting electricity sources by 2045, while recognizing the growing energy demand from sectors like computing, data storage, and electrification. The framework will assess the potential of advanced nuclear power technologies, particularly small modular reactors, as an efficient pathway to replace existing emitting resources, offering stable and reliable clean energy with a higher capacity factor than wind or solar. The department is required to seek non-state funding to develop this framework by December 15, 2026, which will include identifying state objectives for nuclear power generation, outlining key processes for implementation, assessing challenges and opportunities, exploring potential multi-state partnerships, and making policy recommendations. These recommendations will cover areas such as expediting siting and permitting, providing preference for nuclear projects at specific sites (like former coal or gas generation sites or the Hanford site), mitigating financial risks, and evaluating potential economic and workforce impacts. The framework must also include opportunities for public input and will be integrated into the next update of the state energy strategy.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2090&Year=2025&Initiative=false