Bill > HB2598

This bill creates the Missouri Nuclear Energy Advancement Act, establishing a new Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Department of Natural Resources to promote and support advanced nuclear energy projects in the state. The office, led by a director appointed by the governor, will administer a new Missouri Advanced Nuclear Development Fund to provide grants up to $100 million for eligible nuclear projects, specifically focusing on projects that combine natural gas electric generation facilities with advanced nuclear reactors. The office will be responsible for soliciting funding, establishing grant application procedures, evaluating project proposals based on efficiency, resources, repayment ability, and potential state benefits, and can provide reimbursement grants for various pre-construction and construction-related expenses. The bill explicitly removes prohibitions on nuclear electric generation facilities, provided they meet licensing requirements and emergency preparedness standards. The office must ensure transparency, require detailed reporting from grant recipients, and annually report to the legislature about granted projects. Importantly, grants cannot be used for projects that recover costs through rate-based utility mechanisms, and grant recipients must dedicate net electricity sales proceeds to funding pre-commissioning costs of the nuclear reactor portion of their project until commissioning is complete. The fund will be maintained by the state treasurer and can receive gifts, grants, and donations, with any unused funds rolling over between budget periods.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2598&year=2026&code=R