Bill HF2426

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to energy; requiring an advanced nuclear study; requiring a report;
1.3          appropriating money.
1.4          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5          Section 1. ADVANCED NUCLEAR STUDY.
 1.6                        Subdivision 1.Study required. (a) The commissioner of commerce must conduct a
1.7          study evaluating the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of advanced nuclear technology
1.8          reactor power generation in Minnesota.
1.9          (b) At a minimum, the study must address the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of
1.10       advanced nuclear technology reactor power generation on:
1.11       (1) Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals under the Next Generation
1.12       Energy Act, Laws 2007, chapter 136;
1.13       (2) system costs for ratepayers;
1.14       (3) system reliability;
1.15       (4) the environment;
1.16       (5) local jobs; and
1.17       (6) local economic development.
1.18       (c) The study must also evaluate:
1.19       (1) current Minnesota statutes and administrative rules that would require modifications
1.20       in order to enable the construction and operation of advanced nuclear reactors; and
2.1          (2) the economic feasibility of replacing coal-fired boilers with advanced nuclear reactors,
2.2          while accounting for the avoided costs that result from the closure of coal-fired plants.
2.3                          Subd. 2.Report. The commissioner of commerce must submit the results of the study
2.4          under subdivision 1 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
2.5          having jurisdiction over energy finance and policy no later than January 31, 2024.

2.6          Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.7        $150,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
2.8          of commerce to conduct the study and develop the report under section 1. This is a onetime
2.9          appropriation.