Illinois has a 30-year-old ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants.  That might be changing.  On March 30th, following a bipartisan roll call, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 76 which would end the moratorium.  Proponents of the bill say that it would create jobs, lower utility costs, and provide more reliable clean energy.  The bill passed the House on Thursday 84-22.  he bill now moves to the governor’s desk for his consideration.

State Representative Brad Halbrook says that while it may not be perfect it is a great bill and he encouraged a positive vote. 

Senate Bill 76 would delete the language that provides no construction shall be built on any new nuclear power plant within the state.  Public utilities and energy companies wouldn’t be forced to invest in nuclear energy but would have the option. Some projects could either be traditional nuclear reactors or new small modular reactors or SMR’s.  SMR’s are the latest advanced nuclear energy technology being developed which have the added benefit of being able to be placed in existing buildings such as factories, or retired coal-fired power plants that are connected to the electric grid.