SF 2040

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/07/2025 09:23 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to environment; appropriating money for a report on the viability of small
modular reactors in Minnesota; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SMALL MODULAR REACTOR VIABILITY
REPORT.
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new text begin (a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of the Pollution Control Agency for a report on the viability and suitability of electricity
supplied by small modular nuclear reactors in this state. By January 15, 2026, the
commissioner, in consultation with the Environmental Quality Board, the Public Utilities
Commission, the commissioner of natural resources, the commissioner of health, and the
Critical Materials Recovery Advisory Task Force, must submit the report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy finance
and policy, environment and natural resources finance and policy, health finance and policy,
and capital investment. The report must include:
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new text begin (1) recommendations for enhanced environmental monitoring and protection, including
recommendations related to:
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new text begin (i) water quality monitoring and standards that exceed federal requirements;
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new text begin (ii) waste storage and management protocols that meet or exceed current federal and
state requirements;
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new text begin (iii) water appropriation, consumption, and recycling requirements;
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new text begin (iv) environmental justice considerations;
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new text begin (v) integration with and enhancement of existing environmental regulations; and
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new text begin (vi) comprehensive ecosystem protection measures;
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new text begin (2) recommendations for infrastructure and operational requirements, including:
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new text begin (i) grid integration requirements and associated costs;
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new text begin (ii) necessary regulatory framework adaptations;
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new text begin (iii) emergency response infrastructure needs;
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new text begin (iv) public health monitoring systems and requirements;
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new text begin (v) baseline health assessment protocols;
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new text begin (vi) long-term health surveillance infrastructure; and
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new text begin (vii) health care workforce development needs;
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new text begin (3) an assessment of the economic viability of deploying small modular reactors in this
state, including an assessment of:
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new text begin (i) power purchase agreement structures, including public-private partnerships;
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new text begin (ii) rate impacts across customer classes;
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new text begin (iii) economic impacts on existing utilities and communities;
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new text begin (iv) revenue generation potential and projections; and
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new text begin (v) community benefit and ownership models; and
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new text begin (4) options for community engagement and benefit structures, including:
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new text begin (i) cooperative ownership models;
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new text begin (ii) revenue-sharing mechanisms;
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new text begin (iii) local business protection measures; and
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new text begin (iv) rural development opportunities.
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new text begin (b) The report required by this section must include recommendations for any legislation
needed to implement the identified requirements and strategies. The recommendations in
the report must be specific and actionable and may not include recommendations for further
reports or studies.
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