SB1418

THE CONTEXT: SMRs are nuclear fission reactors that produce electrical energy output and are smaller in both size and output from more traditional, larger nuclear reactors. SMRs vary in footprint, technology, capabilities, deployment scenarios and output.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would prohibit a county from preventing, restricting or otherwise regulating the use or occupation of land for the construction and operation of a SMR, if the SMR is colocated with an extra high load factor customer that is properly zoned and permitted, exempt counties with 500,000 or more persons from this prohibition, and prescribe criteria that must be met prior to construction of a SMR for the prohibition from county regulation to apply. Nameplate Rating and Plant Definition Expansion.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to set a clear legal boundary for corporation commission instead of leaving the conduct unaddressed. It would prohibit a county from preventing, restricting or otherwise regulating the use or occupation of land for the construction and operation of a SMR, if the SMR is colocated with an extra high load factor customer that is properly zoned and permitted, and would also exempt counties with 500,000 or more persons from this prohibition, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.