SB 1696

This bill establishes the Florida Public Service Commission as the sole regulatory authority for advanced nuclear reactors in the state, which include nuclear fusion reactors and improved nuclear fission reactors with enhanced safety features and efficiency. The legislation requires the commission to evaluate and approve reactor designs, issue permits for nuclear materials, and establish safety standards, while also mandating coordination with the Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection to certify laboratories that analyze nuclear materials. Additionally, the bill modifies various energy-related statutes to accommodate advanced nuclear technology, including revisions to the state's renewable energy policy definitions and power plant permitting criteria, effectively creating a comprehensive regulatory framework to facilitate the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear technology in Florida.