The state House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would allow for the construction of nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors to add to Pennsylvania’s energy grid.
House Bill 2017 authorizes a change in fees that have posed an obstacle to construction of these smaller nuclear reactors.
“Nuclear is an important part of that strategy, and one that would bring new jobs, but the construction costs can be prohibitive,” state Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver), Nuclear Energy Caucus co-chairman, said. “Small modular reactors, which require less time and money to build, are an excellent solution, but the fees these reactors must pay the state to operate – which were developed with large, traditional reactors in mind – have proven to be an insurmountable obstacle. The new legislation would adjust the fees to remove those barriers.”
State Rep. Jose Giral (D-Philadelphia) introduced the bill.
A 2024 report, authored by the Joint State Government Commission, on the benefits of nuclear energy and the development of SMRs noted that only a few SMRs were in use worldwide, and that simpler reactors are more affordable and can be built with passive safety features.
The bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus educates legislators on the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear power.