SB 216

This bill removes two major regulatory barriers to building nuclear power plants in Oregon by repealing existing requirements that (1) a licensed repository for high-level radioactive waste disposal must exist before a nuclear plant can receive a site certificate, and (2) voters must approve any proposed nuclear power plant through a statewide election. By eliminating these prerequisites, the legislation would make it significantly easier to develop nuclear power facilities in Oregon, as developers would no longer need to wait for a federal waste repository solution or secure voter approval through a ballot measure. The bill maintains existing requirements for radioactive waste storage responsibilities and insurance coverage, but removes the primary obstacles that have effectively prevented new nuclear plant construction in the state.