HF 2670

This bill removes Minnesota's current prohibition on issuing certificates of need for new nuclear power plants, which would allow the state's Public Utilities Commission to once again consider and potentially approve applications for nuclear power plant construction. The legislation strikes the existing statutory language that explicitly forbids the commission from issuing such certificates, effectively reopening the door for new nuclear energy development in Minnesota after what has been a longstanding ban. While the bill maintains requirements for addressing impacts of spent nuclear fuel storage for facilities seeking license extensions, its primary impact is eliminating a major regulatory barrier that has prevented new nuclear power generation in the state.