MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has approved a bill that would lift Wisconsin's ban on new nuclear power plants.
Right now, state regulators can't approve a new nuclear power plant unless a federal facility for storing waste from nuclear plants nationwide exists and such a plant wouldn't burden ratepayers. No central federal repository exists, leaving nuclear plants to store their waste on-site.
The bill would erase the storage facility and ratepayer clauses from state law, clearing the way for new plants. The bill's author, Republican Rep. Kevin Peterson, maintains nuclear power is an affordable option as the state faces new federal rules on greenhouse gas emissions.
The Assembly approved the bill on a voice vote Tuesday, January 12th. It goes next to the Senate.