Two bills aimed at laying the groundwork for a nuclear energy industry in Montana have passed the state legislature and are awaiting the governor’s signature.
House Bill 623 would permit the establishment of nuclear waste storage facilities in the state. This measure aligns with national Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, which mandate that nuclear power plants have designated waste storage locations. The bill would allow future plants to store waste on-site, a key step for potential nuclear development.
House Bill 676, also passed by lawmakers, would authorize the construction of uranium enrichment and processing facilities in Montana. Currently, most of the enriched uranium used in the United States is sourced internationally. The legislation is intended to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for nuclear fuel.
Both bills received bipartisan support as well as opposition during debate. They come in the wake of Montana’s repeal of Initiative 80, a 1978 law that required voter approval for new nuclear facilities. That requirement was eliminated in 2021 with the passage of House Bill 273, which also had broad bipartisan backing. Supporters of the repeal argued that modern nuclear technology is significantly safer and more advanced than that of the 1970s.
While these new bills do not authorize immediate nuclear power plant construction, they are seen as important steps toward preparing Montana for future nuclear energy projects as the state transitions away from coal.
By: DNU staff