Signed by Governor Ned Lamont

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes bonds to pay for public benefits charges currently included on customers' electric bills in Connecticut.

Highlights:

• Specifies that no construction shall commence on a new nuclear power facility in the state unless (Sec. 1):

• The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste;

• The nuclear power facility is proposed to be sited at a nuclear power generating facility operating in the state as of October 1, 2022; 

• The construction is for an advanced nuclear reactor facility and such facility is sited in a municipality that has consented to such facility's development through the affirmative vote of such municipality's legislative body or a referendum held in such municipality any additional municipality within the emergency planning zone, as determined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; or

• The entity proposing such new nuclear power facility, including advanced nuclear reactors, shall obtain all permits, licenses, permissions or approvals governing the construction, operation and funding of decommissioning of such nuclear power facility as required by any applicable federal statute, regulations promulgated or , other federal or state statute, rule or regulation governing the permitting, licensing, construction, operation or decommissioning of such facility (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a competitive advanced nuclear reactor and offshore wind energy site readiness funding program. The commissioner may provide funding through the program in the form of grants or loans to eligible recipients in support of (Sec. 2):

• Environmental and technical studies required for early site permitting for advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities;

• Local and regional infrastructure assessments to support the development of advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities;

• Community engagement and planning initiatives related to hosting advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities; and

• Other necessary expenses identified by the commissioner to advance site readiness for advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities.

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall act as a point of contact for public and private stakeholders to assist in compliance with federal, state and local requirements relevant to atomic development, including, but not limited to, citing considerations and permitting requirements (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes bonds to pay for public benefits charges currently included on customers' electric bills in Connecticut.

Highlights:

• Specifies that no construction shall commence on a new nuclear power facility in the state unless (Sec. 1):

• The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste;

• The nuclear power facility is proposed to be sited at a nuclear power generating facility operating in the state as of October 1, 2022; 

• The construction is for an advanced nuclear reactor facility and such facility is sited in a municipality that has consented to such facility's development through the affirmative vote of such municipality's legislative body or a referendum held in such municipality any additional municipality within the emergency planning zone, as determined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; or

• The entity proposing such new nuclear power facility, including advanced nuclear reactors, shall obtain all permits, licenses, permissions or approvals governing the construction, operation and funding of decommissioning of such nuclear power facility as required by any applicable federal statute, regulations promulgated or , other federal or state statute, rule or regulation governing the permitting, licensing, construction, operation or decommissioning of such facility (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a competitive advanced nuclear reactor and offshore wind energy site readiness funding program. The commissioner may provide funding through the program in the form of grants or loans to eligible recipients in support of (Sec. 2):

• Environmental and technical studies required for early site permitting for advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities;

• Local and regional infrastructure assessments to support the development of advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities;

• Community engagement and planning initiatives related to hosting advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities; and

• Other necessary expenses identified by the commissioner to advance site readiness for advanced nuclear reactors or offshore wind energy facilities.

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall act as a point of contact for public and private stakeholders to assist in compliance with federal, state and local requirements relevant to atomic development, including, but not limited to, citing considerations and permitting requirements (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text