Minnesota Lawyer
Denny McNamara
Rep. Denny McNamara (GOP-Hastings) today announced plans for a bill that would lift the state’s nuclear moratorium. The bill is expected to be introduced to the House on Monday. Framing the measure as one that involves jobs and the economy, the announcement was made at the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee, which McNamara chairs.
He said the bill’s chief author, who has not been named, would be “a person who has been involved in energy issues for a while.”
The goal of the bill is twofold, McNamara stated: to allow power producers to get the permission and funding they need from the Public Utilities Commission, and allow the PUC to grant a certificate of need. Both are currently prohibited under state law.
There’s not likely to be a producer lining up for a permit at this point, McNamara said.
Following Monday’s bill introduction, the committee will hold a hearing on the bill at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, and may continue at 6:00 pm Tuesday evening.
