New legislation intended to boost the nuclear energy industry in Michigan has been introduced in Lansing by state Representatives Joey Andrews and Pauline Wendzel.
Andrews tells us the two lawmakers have teamed up with bipartisan colleagues from across the state for the package, which is intended to make Michigan the nation’s nuclear energy leader.
“We had a lot of conversations with the Nuclear Association and the head of the Nuclear Engineering Department at U of M and the utilities about what would it take to put Michigan at the head of the pack,” Andrews said. “What could we do?”
This legislation is the same as a package of bills that ran out of time for passage in the last session, but with one additional bill. So, what’s it do?
“There’s a tax credit for research and development into small modular reactors, a production credit for manufacturing small modular reactors to try to draw that industry in, a set of tax incentives both for colleges and universities training new workforce in the nuclear or hydrogen industries.”
There’s also a tax credit for workers in the nuclear industry to stay in Michigan after graduation or to come to Michigan. Andrews says in their talks with industry leaders, the lawmakers learned talent retention and attraction are among its biggest challenges.
Andrews says the new technology of small modular reactors should be encouraged in Michigan as these SMRs are less costly to manufacture, don’t require as much cooling, and are nearly risk-free. Holtec is planning some SMRs for Palisades.
The legislation has been referred to the House Energy Committee, of which Wendzel is the chair. For that reason, Andrews suspects the package will be sent to the full House fairly soon.
