HB 2017

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Radiation Protection Act to create a regulatory framework for small modular reactors and microreactors—advanced nuclear facilities with capacities of 400 megawatts or less—by formally defining these technologies and allowing the state Department of Environmental Resources to set lower, customized fees for their licensing and oversight. The main purpose is to reduce regulatory costs for these smaller, newer nuclear technologies while ensuring the department can still cover its administrative expenses for environmental monitoring, decommissioning oversight, and regulatory compliance. The bill takes effect in 60 days and allows the department flexibility to exempt certain fees that don't apply to a specific facility's operations, which could make Pennsylvania a more attractive location for small modular reactor development.