Relating to small modular reactor energy facilities; providing that this Act shall be referred to the people for their approval or rejection.
Summary
Senate Bill 997 would create an exemption in Oregon law for small modular reactor energy facilities. Under the bill, a power plant using one or more small modular reactors could be sited and operated without first meeting the existing requirement that there be a licensed place to dispose of high-level radioactive waste. The measure defines a small modular reactor as an advanced nuclear reactor of 300 electrical megawatts or less, with factory-fabricated components assembled on-site, and allows multiple similar reactors to be combined at a single site.
The bill also refers the measure to the voters at the next regular general election, so it would not take effect unless approved by the people. In practical terms, it would amend Oregon’s energy facility siting laws by carving small modular reactor facilities out of the application of ORS 469.595 and 469.599, which currently govern siting requirements tied to radioactive waste disposal.
Impact
SB 997 would change Oregon’s nuclear energy siting framework by exempting small modular reactor energy facilities from statutory provisions that otherwise require a licensed high-level radioactive waste repository before a nuclear power plant may be sited. The bill would therefore make it easier to permit and develop small modular reactor projects in the state, while leaving the broader siting laws in place for other nuclear facilities. Because the measure is referred to the voters, any legal change would depend on statewide approval.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or vote history to indicate support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a pro-development nuclear energy policy aimed at enabling advanced reactor deployment in Oregon, but the available record does not show how lawmakers or the public have reacted.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the removal of the existing radioactive-waste-disposal prerequisite for siting nuclear facilities. Supporters would likely view the exemption as necessary to allow small modular reactors and related energy development to proceed, while opponents may be concerned about nuclear waste management, public safety, and whether Oregon should relax siting safeguards before a disposal solution is in place. Because the bill is referred to the people, the ultimate dispute would be decided through the ballot rather than solely in the Legislature.