| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Technology, Energy & Communications Committee | |
HB 2737
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Creating the joint legislative task force on nuclear energy.
Sponsors: Representatives Anderson, Haler, Hurst, Williams and Hankins.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/5/08
Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).
Background:
According to the United States Department of Energy, there are 104 commercial nuclear
generating units in the United States, licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with
an electric capability of 97,400 megawatts (MW). No new commercial reactor has come on line
in the United States since 1996, with the exception of the Tennessee Valley Authority's
restoration of Browns Ferry 1, which was completed in 2007.
Several federal incentives for building new nuclear power plants were included in the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). For example, the EPAct established a 1.8-cents/kilowatt-hour tax
credit for up to 6,000 MW of new nuclear capacity for the first eight years of operation, up to
$125 million annually per 1,000 MW.
In Washington, nuclear power accounts for only about 5 percent of the total energy supply.
Hydroelectricity accounts for approximately two-thirds of the electricity supply, followed by
coal, and natural-gas fired generation. Renewable resources, such as wind or solar power,
account for approximately 2 to 3 percent of the state's energy supply.
Summary of Bill:
A nine member Joint Legislative Task Force on Nuclear Energy (Task Force) is created.
The Task Force includes four legislators and five members from the executive branch and the
nuclear industry.
The Task Force shall study the feasibility of pursuing additional nuclear generated power in
Washington. This study shall include: 1) an examination of the methods by which spent fuel
may be disposed of; 2) a review of the safety issues associated with operating advanced nuclear
power reactors; and 3) an estimate of the cost per kilowatt hour of nuclear power generated by an
advanced nuclear power reactor as compared to other sources. The Task Force must also
examine the licensing, permitting, or other regulatory costs associated with constructing an
advanced nuclear power reactor, and the potential federal tax incentives that may be available to
support nuclear power projects in the state.
The Task Force must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1,
2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.