Bill > HB4046

This bill directs the State Department of Energy (ODOE) to conduct a comprehensive study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactor technology, and to report its findings. The study will examine various aspects of advanced nuclear reactors, such as different types and sizes, their feasibility in Oregon, associated costs, risks and benefits to human health and the environment, necessary government and industry support, safety considerations, potential uses for industrial facilities, financing models, and long-term deployment outlooks. It also requires an analysis of nuclear waste types, management methods, economic costs of disposal, and legal pathways for waste handling, while also assessing the impacts of nuclear energy on economic growth and workforce development. The ODOE must consult with tribal governments, relevant state agencies, and organizations like the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council and Oregon State University, and seek public input. The study's funding will come from federal, private, and other public sources, and the department must publicly report on these funds, their anticipated uses, and any potential conflicts of interest. The ODOE is required to submit its final report to legislative committees within one year of receiving the necessary funding and provide an update on its progress by February 15, 2027. A dedicated "Nuclear Energy Study Fund" will be established for this purpose, and the provisions of the bill will be repealed on January 2, 2030. The bill declares an emergency, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/HB4046