Assembly Considering Repeal Of Nuclear Power Plant Moratorium But Fate Uncertain In Senate

The state Assembly could soon pass a bill to repeal Wisconsin’s moratorium on new nuclear power plants, but the plan’s future is murky in the state Senate.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he wants the full Assembly to pass the bill in January. He said federal regulations are making coal-fired power more expensive so Wisconsin needs to explore other options.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to produce energy because we are so dependent on it in Wisconsin with manufacturing,” Vos said.

The legislation passed an Assembly committee by a 13-0 margin, but it’s unlikely to receive that much bipartisan support in the Senate, where Democratic Minority Leader Jen Shilling said some of her members have concerns over nuclear waste.

“Until we have a place where we can deposit the waste in a safe place, that just doesn’t seem to be a responsible alternative right now,” she said.

Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he’s open to lifting the nuclear moratorium, but he said it’s not a top priority.

“I don’t have anybody in our caucus, really, that’s been a proponent or somebody who’s come to me and said this is really my greater priority,” he said.