SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Senate powered a state foray into nuclear energy forward on Wednesday morning — the third last day of the legislative session.
The plan, HB 249, creates a “Nuclear Energy Consortium” that would make recommendations on nuclear development and incentives for it.
The vote on the “second reading” in the Senate was 22-6, with Democrat Sen. Jen Plumb voting with Republicans to move the legislation ahead for a final Senate debate.
Governor Cox said weeks ago Utah needs nuclear power to meet energy demands — and announced it was a “priority” this year.
As 2News reported, Rocky Mountain Power said requests for energy, including from AI firms, “would easily double” the power now used by the state.
“We’re going to be left in the dust (on energy),” said Senator Evan Vickers, R-Iron County, who supports the nuclear plan.
But Democrats on the Senate floor voiced concerns over “pushing big projects on local communities.”
“I feel like we are losing our ability to control our local areas,” said Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Salt Lake County. “It has nothing to do with the exploration of power.”
Some state leaders have insisted nuclear is essential.
“We cannot rely on wind and solar,” said Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Davis County, “unless we’re going to cut our energy needs.”
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