SF 350

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 language in Minnesota Statutes section 216B.243 that explicitly forbids the commission from issuing certificates of need for new nuclear-powered electric generating facilities, while retaining requirements for addressing impacts of spent nuclear fuel storage. By eliminating this ban, the bill would enable nuclear power to be considered as a potential energy option in Minnesota, though any proposed nuclear facility would still need to go through the standard certificate of need review process and meet all other regulatory requirements.