Connecticut Democrats’ energy proposals this year include an override of the state’s 40-year moratorium on nuclear power plants to allow for the construction of small modular reactors.
Senate Democratic leaders announced their “Ratepayers First Act” energy legislation at a media briefing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Thursday.
Senator Norm Needleman, co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, said there is bipartisan support for building small modular reactors to address the rising cost of energy and electricity demand.
“It’s not an immediate fix. It’s not a panacea. But it is a carbon free resource and as long as the new nuclear is safe I think you will see that happening here,” Needleman said.
Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, the largest in New England, represents 40% of Connecticut’s energy generation and almost all its clean energy generation.
“When you talk about a new technology like small modular reactors, there’s a lot of work going on all over the world on this at this point. And I think that we are probably looking at the 2030s for when they are going to really begin to matter,” Needleman said.
Connecticut amended its moratorium on new nuclear plants in 2022 to allow for the construction of small modular reactors at Millstone.
This year’s proposal allows for modular reactors in other parts of the state.
Gov. Ned Lamont also supports the proposal.
Source: WSHU
