Michigan gets the ball rolling on nuclear feasibility study

January 12, 2023, 10:26AMNuclear News

The Michigan Public Service Commission has requested proposals for a feasibility study on nuclear power generation in the state. Responses to the January 5 request are due January 19, with the proposals themselves due February 3. The selected firm is to deliver a report to Michigan’s governor and leaders of the state’s legislature by April 2024.

The study was mandated by HB 1609, introduced in the Michigan House last April by Rep. Graham Filler (R., 93rd Dist.) and signed into law as PA 218 last October by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Following the bill’s signing, Filler said, “My legislation ensures our state continues to research and review nuclear energy, which has provided millions of homes and businesses affordable, clean energy for many years here in Michigan. A huge thanks to the governor for understanding the importance of this bipartisan legislation.”

Task list: The winning firm will be required to consider, among other things, the following:

  • Advantages and disadvantages of building additional nuclear energy facilities, including economic and environmental impacts.
  • Ways to maximize the use of Michigan workers and products in the construction of these facilities.
  • Design characteristics, land and siting criteria, safety criteria, engineering and cost-related criteria, and small modular reactor capability.
  • Timeline for development.
  • Efficiencies and other benefits that may be gained by coordinating with other advanced, clean energy technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage.

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