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The moratorium has been on the books since 1987, but now a bill
that passed both chambers of the state legislature awaits Gov.
J.B. Pritzker’s signature that would allow the construction of
new nuclear power facilities.
“There are aspects of it that I think are worthy,” Pritzker said
Thursday. “My concern is to make sure that we have all available
options for growing our energy production in the state.”
David Kraft, director of the Illinois-based Nuclear Energy
Information Service, said if Pritzker allows for the moratorium
to be lifted, it goes against what he has been preaching about
regarding his energy goals.
“Since he staked the first several years of his administration
to promote renewable energy and then to wimp out at the last
minute and not do anything to protect it would be a big
mistake,” Kraft told The Center Square.
Kraft added that the moratorium was put in place as a protective
measure so Illinois would at least minimize the amount of
radioactive waste that would be stored in state until the
federal government came up with a disposal solution. Those power
stations are located in Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden,
LaSalle and the Quad Cities.
Supporters of the bill say it would pave the way for the
construction of small modular nuclear reactors, a technology
that some say is still unproven. Rather than building a few
large nuclear power plants, many smaller SMNRs could be located
closer to demand centers, thus reducing the need for large
infrastructure.
Illinois uses nuclear power to produce a higher percentage of
its electricity output than any other state. Waste from its six
nuclear power plants is stored on site until a permanent
location can be found.
Pritzker has until Aug. 16 to take action, or the bill
automatically begins law.
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