Bill for Development of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Introduced

Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula introduced a bill to promote the development of small modular nuclear reactors.

AB 305 would exempt nuclear reactors with an electrical generating capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit from California’s longstanding moratorium on new nuclear fission reactors.

The bill would also require the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt a plan by January 1, 2028 to increase the procurement of electricity generated from nuclear facilities and to phase out the procurement of electricity generated from natural gas facilities.

The Warren-Alquist Act in 1976 put a moratorium on the construction and licensing of new nuclear fission reactors in the state until the federal government provided a solution to radioactive waste disposal. AB 305 would maintain the existing exceptions for the Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuclear power plants.

California law requires renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources to supply 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-users by the end of 2045. Given the opposition to keeping Diablo Canyon open, small nuclear reactors are likely the only way that nuclear energy could contribute a greater share of the state’s zero-carbon electricity.