House committee approves bill designed to eventually bring nuclear power to Utah
Jan 27, 2025, 5:46 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2025, 2:30 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah lawmakers took the first steps Monday in their pursuit of bringing nuclear energy to the state.
The House Public Utilities and Energy Committee unanimously approved HB249 late Monday afternoon, which leaders said could lay the groundwork for Utah to produce nuclear power within a decade or so.
The Republican-controlled Legislature has made energy – specifically, the prospect of nuclear power – a key focus of the session, which started last week and runs through March 7.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, would establish the Nuclear Energy Consortium to advise on nuclear development in Utah and recommend appropriate regulations for it. Albrecht said nuclear technology has improved over the years, and the bill is a way to make sure the Beehive state is well-positioned in energy production going forward.
“We need to be on the cutting edge in the state of Utah – as we are on a lot of things – and start down this nuclear path and other energy projects to make us an energy leader in the west and the United States,” Albrecht said.
Multiple members of the public spoke for and against the bill. Some warned against the risk of nuclear waste and the need to protect Utahns from it. Another citizen expressed concerns about the cost of nuclear power. Still another urged Utah leaders not to “rush in” to anything.
Albrecht acknowledged there “probably does need some work on health and safety, although I think we’re well down that path.” He also said the bill would certainly be tweaked going forward.
Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources – which includes the Utah Office of Energy Development –said he believes the bill is the first step to bring nuclear power to Utah “within 10 years.”
HB249 now moves to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
