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Nuclear energy bill receives Senate hearing

Michigan Capitol Building
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Michigan Capitol Building

A bill before a Michigan Senate committee would require state regulators to commission a feasibility study on nuclear energy

That study would look at the economic and environmental impact of generating nuclear power in the state.

Republican state Representative Graham Filler sponsors the bill. He says the study would help policymakers make better choices about the state’s nuclear future.

“There’s just no way that solar and wind can provide the massive power generation that nuclear can, and so what are we doing with nuclear going forward are we opening our eyes to SMRs?”

SMR’s are small modular reactors. They take up less space and can be more cost effective than traditional nuclear power stations, though detractors say they could produce more waste.

Opponents to the study say the state should instead invest in beefing up its renewable energy portfolio since nuclear energy can get pricey.

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