Wisconsin Senate Bill SB125

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/6/25
• Refer: 5/15/25
• Engrossed: 5/15/25
• Refer: 5/27/25
• Refer: 6/20/25
• Enrolled: 6/25/25
• Chaptered: 7/3/25
• Passed: 7/3/25

Caption

An Act to renumber 196.491 (3) (g); to create 20.155 (1) (a), 196.025 (8) and 196.491 (3) (g) 2. of the statutes; Relating to: a nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)

Summary

SB125 creates a new statutory requirement for the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study. The study must identify opportunities for nuclear power and fusion energy generation at existing nuclear and nonnuclear sites, identify potential new sites, and evaluate sites for development and demonstration of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors and fusion energy systems. It must also consider a 2024 U.S. Department of Energy siting study, review approval and permitting processes for small modular reactor projects, and engage with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on ways to streamline federal and state review processes. The commission may hire a third party to help complete the study, and it must submit a report to the legislature within 19 months after the effective date. The report must assess methods for streamlining the certificate of public convenience and necessity process under Wisconsin law for large electric generating facilities that contain an advanced nuclear reactor. The bill is focused on planning, analysis, and regulatory review rather than authorizing construction or directly approving any specific project.

Impact

The bill adds a new subsection to Wisconsin Statutes section 196.025 and directs the Public Service Commission to produce a formal nuclear siting and regulatory study. It also requires the commission to report on possible ways to speed up the certificate of public convenience and necessity process under section 196.491 for large electric generating facilities using advanced nuclear reactors. In practical terms, the bill affects the PSC, potential nuclear and fusion developers, utilities, and state and federal permitting processes by creating a policy framework for future siting and approval decisions.

Sentiment

The voting record suggests generally favorable legislative support, with the bill passing the Senate 28-5 after a narrower 18-15 procedural vote on the decision of the chair. No committee transcripts were provided, but the final passage margin indicates broad support for studying advanced nuclear energy and related permitting issues. The bill appears to have been treated as a forward-looking energy policy measure rather than a controversial authorization of a specific facility.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be the extent to which Wisconsin should streamline approval and permitting for advanced nuclear projects, especially small modular reactors and large generating facilities containing advanced nuclear reactors. Supporters likely view the study as a way to prepare for future energy development and improve regulatory efficiency, while skeptics may be concerned about nuclear safety, siting impacts, regulatory shortcuts, or the implications of easing certificate review timelines. The closer procedural vote suggests some disagreement over the bill’s direction or scope, even though final passage was decisive.