The North Dakota state House recently passed Senate Bill 2159, which would allow the State Energy Research Center to work on projects related to nuclear waste disposal. The bill includes amendments to limit disposal to above-ground facilities and require state approval before research can be conducted. The legislation was introduced alongside House Bill 1025, which funds a study on advanced nuclear power’s potential in North Dakota. The University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center is the designated State Energy Research Center.
However, concerns were raised by some House members about the potential unintended consequences of the bill, including a backlash against nuclear power in the state. The amendments were made in response to opposition, particularly from farmers in northern North Dakota who were worried about the possibility of permanent nuclear waste storage in the region. Despite the amendments, some lawmakers remain concerned that the bill still removes the broader prohibition on research projects that could lead to underground storage, highlighting the need for further deliberation on the issue.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
