LANSING — A bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers is taking another crack at legislation to support nuclear energy development, with the hopes of making the state a national hub for nuclear innovation.
Michigan currently has two operating nuclear plants, with a previously decommissioned plant in southwest Michigan gearing up to restart operations later this year.
Nuclear power is the second largest source of energy in Michigan, supplying about a quarter of all power.
But some lawmakers say the state needs to do more to encourage the development of the industry.
“This package is necessary because simply having existing plants in operation won’t secure our continued leadership in this quickly developing field,” said Rep. Pauline Wendzel, (R) District 39, Watervliet. “
The package — House Bills 4124-4129 — would establish tax credits for nuclear research and development and a new scholarship program for students in the field who stay in the state following graduation.
“I think on a national scale, we can actually be the pioneers of this — Michigan can, in terms of the nuclear space,” said Rep. Parker Fairbairn, (R) District 107, Harbor Springs. “So we want to incentivize people to come into the state and invest in nuclear.”
Supporters say they’re optimistic that support for nuclear energy can remain a bipartisan issue, amid Trump administration opposition toward solar and wind development.
Once constructed, nuclear reactors don’t generate carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
“Democrats are looking at this as, okay, we can get rid of coal and gas if we have nuclear,” said Rep. Joey Andrews, (D) District 38, St. Joseph. “I think Republicans look at this and they see a lot of cheap base load electricity for manufacturing. So, you know, there’s sort of this political consensus coming together now that nuclear really does solve a lot of our problems.”
Still, Democratic supporters say investments in wind and solar should continue along with support for nuclear.
“To me, it’s a ‘yes, and’ situation,” Andrews said. “You want to base load with nuclear and then do your peak intermediate management with solar and wind, so we really should be doing both. And I hope that we can eventually get by some of the, you know, the politics in this and just focus on what is the best thing for grid stability.”
Similar bills were proposed last term by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, but didn’t make it into law by the end of 2024. The package could receive a vote in the House when lawmakers return from their spring break in mid-April.
