VA·Bill·2024 Regular Session
SB 561
Nuclear energy electrical generation facilities; permitting.
Introduced 2024-01-10Last action 2024-02-06 — Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y 0-N)
Sponsor
T. Travis Hackworth
Cosponsors
None⚫
Died in Senate committee
The 2024 Regular Session ended on 2024-03-09. This bill was introduced when the session adjourned and did not advance to enactment.
Legislative Progress
✗
Introduced
2
In Committee
3
Passed Chamber
4
Enacted / Signed
Summary
This bill expands Virginia's streamlined environmental permitting process for small renewable energy projects to include small nuclear reactors (up to 300 megawatts) located in four specific southwestern Virginia planning districts (LENOWISCO, Cumberland Plateau, Mount Rogers, and New River Valley Region). By adding these nuclear facilities to the definition of "small renewable energy project," they become eligible for the Department of Environmental Quality's simplified "permit by rule" process rather than undergoing more complex individual permitting procedures. The bill directs the Department to develop specific permit regulations for these nuclear energy projects "as soon as practicable," effectively creating a faster regulatory pathway for small modular nuclear reactors in designated rural areas of Virginia.
Note
Historical import. Session: 2024
Full Bill Text
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?241+ful+SB561+pdf