A bill aiming to revise the state’s nuclear power options has passed the Senate Commerce and Energy committee.
Republican Rep. Mike Weisgram introduced the bill. He said it updates existing laws.
“The existing statute was written in 1967 and at that time, the EPA was the regulatory authority involved with nuclear power. Now, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission is now the regulatory commission with nuclear oversight authority,” said Weisgram.
The bill would give the governor permission to enter into agreements with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the state’s behalf.
Opponents of the bill said it would open the door for South Dakota to become an agreement state. That is when a state gains permission from the NRC to regulate certain radioactive materials.
Guy Larson is a registered lobbyist for the Sierra Club of South Dakota. He said the bill’s language is too vague.
“If you’re going to update the language, which, that’s all well and good, update the language. If the agreement that you hope to make is to become an agreement state, then spell that out in the bill. Or spell out that it’s just a cleanup. Because if it is to become an agreement state, then we have an entirely different discussion to hold,” said Larson.
The committee passed the bill on an eight to one vote. It now heads to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
