LANSING – A bill passed by the Michigan House of Representatives last week that would study how the state could add more nuclear plants after one of the state’s existing plants closes.
House Bill 6019, sent to the state Senate after passing in an 85-20 vote Thursday, May 19, would require the Michigan Public Service Commission to hire an outside consultant to study the feasibility of new nuclear energy generation. If the bill is enacted, the commission would deliver its findings to the governor and legislative leadership within 18 months, including possible sites for new nuclear power plants in Michigan.
Nuclear plants sit along lakes and rivers so the water can cool reactors. Per the Energy Information Administration, 26 percent of Michigan’s electricity is produced by nuclear power, coming from three plants: Palisades on Lake Michigan in Van Buren County, D.C. Cook on Lake Michigan in Berrien County and Fermi 2 on Lake Erie in Monroe County.
The Palisades plant, which has been open for more than 50 years, is schedule to close this month. The plant accounts for 20 percent of Michigan’s carbon-free electricity, Filler said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has requested federal funding to keep Palisades open.
To read more, click on MLIVE
