Task force to study small-scale nuclear power moves through Senate
An effort to look into bringing small-scale nuclear power to Delaware is moving through the Legislature.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, sponsored by Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford, with support by Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Long Neck; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; and Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown, passed the Senate 19-2 March 26, and now awaits action in a House committee.
The resolution would establish the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force to examine bringing small modular reactors to Delaware. The task force would examine economic impact, regulatory considerations, energy reliability and environmental implications of the new energy source.
Delaware does not produce base load power needed to support the power grid. The closest nuclear reactor is in Salem, N.J.
Hilovsky added an amendment requiring the task force to also look into nuclear fusion energy generation technology.
The bill awaits action in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
Melissa Steele is a staff writer covering the state Legislature, government and police. Her newspaper career spans more than 30 years and includes working for the Delaware State News, Burlington County Times, The News Journal, Dover Post and Milford Beacon before coming to the Cape Gazette in 2012. Her work has received numerous awards, most notably a Pulitzer Prize-adjudicated investigative piece, and a runner-up for the MDDC James S. Keat Freedom of Information Award.
