Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Studies

(1025 § 1) Study the feasibility, siting, and deployment of advanced nuclear power plants in the state. The study must include evaluation of siting locations, including potential greenfield and brownfield sites, the identification and assessment of undeveloped land suitable for construction, developed land suitable for rehabilitation and reuse, geographical locations, environmental impacts, proximity to infrastructure, and community acceptance; electric grid connectivity, including the capacity of the electrical grid and integration of a nuclear power plant to the state, necessary upgrades and expansions to ensure reliability, and recommendations adhering to national and state electric standards and regulations; land use considerations, including long-term sustainability of proposed sites, environmental and social factors, land use patterns and zoning regulations, potential impacts on local land use, and proposed mitigation strategies; economic impacts, including potential tax revenue, job creation during construction and operation of a nuclear facility, economic impacts on local and state economies, and investor appeal; temporary and permanent nuclear waste storage, including in-state and out-of-state siting locations; small modular and micro nuclear reactors, including the feasibility of constructing and operating small modular and micro reactors to generate power in the state; and provisions of North Dakota Century Code that place restrictions on advanced nuclear energy development, if any. The study must invite participation from an institution of higher education for assistance in evaluating social interests and community acceptance of potential siting locations. Section 2 appropriates $300,000 from the general fund, and up to $300,000 from special funds derived from grants or donations from nonstate sources, to the Legislative Council for purposes of contracting for consulting services for the study.