Carroll files legislation to speed up nuclear development in Kentucky

State Senator Danny Carroll has filed legislation to jumpstart nuclear development in Kentucky.

His proposal, Senate Bill 57, would establish the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program under the umbrella of the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority. The bill would establish a working relationship and shared investment dollars among state government, the utilities, and commercial groups, including energy manufacturers and large data center operators.

Under the framework, the state, the utilities, and the commercial groups would all kick in $25 million per site to evenly cover the costs of early permitting from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which typically runs about $75 million per site.

Carroll said in a statement, “There is potential for a $20 billion return on the investment and effort we put into this. This would be transformative for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and move us up another notch on the ladder as it relates to nuclear energy potential in the United States. I cannot begin to describe the level of interest we’re receiving. I meet with CEOs and developers regularly. Utilities, industry, and everyone is ready to move. It’s up to us to take the initiative and get in front of this before other states beat us to it.”

The proposal calls for the development of at least three reactor sites in key locations around the state, which would kickstart economic growth and bring jobs to multiple areas of Kentucky.


Photo courtesy of the Legislative Research Commission