OR·Bill·2023 Regular Session
HB 2215
Relating to nuclear-fueled thermal power plants; providing that this Act shall be referred to the people for their approval or rejection.
Introduced 2023-01-09Last action 2023-06-25 — In committee upon adjournment.
Sponsor
Ed DiehlR
Cosponsors
Bobby Levy(R)Shelly Boshart Davis(R)Mark Owens(R)Cyrus Javadi(D)E. Werner Reschke(R)Emily McIntire(R)Tracy Cramer(?)Rick Lewis(R)
⚫
Died in House committee
The 2023 Regular Session ended on 2023-06-25. This bill was in committee when the session adjourned and did not advance to enactment.
Legislative Progress
✓
Introduced
✗
In Committee
3
Passed Chamber
4
Enacted / Signed
Summary
This bill removes two major barriers to building nuclear power plants in Oregon: it eliminates the requirement that a federally-licensed repository for high-level radioactive waste must exist before a nuclear plant can be approved, and it removes the requirement that voters must approve each proposed nuclear plant site certificate. By repealing these provisions (ORS 469.590-469.601), the bill would make it significantly easier to develop nuclear power facilities in Oregon, though the changes themselves must first be approved by voters at the next general election. If passed by voters, this would reverse Oregon's long-standing restrictive stance on nuclear power development that has effectively prohibited new nuclear plants since the 1980s.
Note
Historical import. Session: 2023R1
Full Bill Text
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2215/Introduced