Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recently vetoed legislation that would have removed the moratorium on new construction of nuclear power plants to allow for the construction of both advanced and traditional large-scale nuclear reactors in the state.
The bill, Senate Bill 76, “is vetoed because the vague definitions in the bill, including the overly broad definition of advanced reactors, will open the door to the proliferation of large-scale nuclear reactors that are so costly to build that they will cause exorbitant ratepayer-funded bailouts,” Pritzker’s office said on Aug. 11.
“Additionally, it provides no regulatory protections or updates to address the health and safety of Illinois residents who would live and work around these new reactors,” Pritzker’s office said.
Pritzker’s veto stands in contrast to actions by other states to clear a path for the construction of new nuclear generation.
For example, in early 2022, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed into law a bill that lifted the state’s ban on the construction of nuclear power plants.
A March 2022 article in Public Power Current detailed how a growing number of states are taking action to clear a path for the possible development of nuclear power.
