Nebraska lawmakers eye expanding nuclear energy production - Omaha World-Herald

Nebraska lawmakers eye expanding nuclear energy production

LINCOLN — As a new form of nuclear technology grows more popular across the globe, officials in Nebraska are looking for ways the state can tap into it as a source of energy production.

State lawmakers met Friday to discuss the feasibility of building small modular nuclear reactors as a means of generating electric power across the state. Experts testified that such reactors are a clean and efficient method of energy production.

“We’ve struggled with exactly what power should look like as we’re going into the future,” said State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon. “Wind and solar are kind of the things now, but they’re going to outlive their life, and we got to figure out what that should look like beyond there.”

Small modular reactors are the new type of nuclear reactor under consideration around the world. Utilities say these smaller reactors offer several advantages over the much larger traditional reactors by requiring less space, costing less to build and providing greater flexibility in where they can be built and how much electricity they generate.

People are also reading…

Critics, however, say they remain unproven and carry the baggage of any nuclear reactor: no great solution for radioactive spent fuel, potential high costs to build and potential nefarious use of nuclear material.

A nuclear power plant hasn’t been built in Nebraska in 50-some years. The only plant still in operation is Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville.

Tom Kent, CEO of the Nebraska Public Power District, said the energy contained within the Cooper plant’s reactor core is difficult to fathom. The reactor takes fuel from uranium pellets that are roughly the size of a finger, he said. The energy within one pellet is equivalent to about one ton of coal.

Small modular reactors may not have the capacity to hold as much energy as a larger plant, but Kent said they use new technology that is more efficient and better at maintaining the reactor at a safe temperature.

Using funds approved by the Legislature, this year NPPD started searching for potential sites where Nebraska could construct a new reactor. Kent said NPPD has identified several potential locations and is in the process of narrowing down a handful for further analysis.

Even with full approval by state government, Kent said the process is long enough that Nebraska probably won’t see a small nuclear reactor built for at least another decade. He said states that are the furthest along in development are still only midway through their licensing process.

Lawmakers asked Kent whether there was anything the state could do to ease this process, but Kent said NPPD is happy with the help it has received from the Legislature so far. Some ideas he suggested included streamlining the permit process or improving the state’s labor shortage to ensure the reactors would have enough workers.

“I’m not sure there needs to be drastic changes,” Kent said.

There are multiple benefits associated with nuclear energy. Nuclear engineer Jan Bostelman said it doesn’t rely on continuous supply chains like coal or water, and takes up a lot less land than other energy plants. She said nuclear plants have also been linked to increased economic development in their communities, creating more high-paying jobs and paying higher taxes.

Kent said nuclear energy also doesn’t produce the same emissions that fossil fuel-based energy does. Since NPPD and other local power companies have set a goal to be carbon neutral within the next two decades, he said, it’s critical that nuclear energy be part of the solution.

“To accomplish the goals we’re talking about as a society, nuclear power’s got to be part of that,” Kent said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023

Jackie Incontro leaves off of a sidewalk in Dundee on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Incontro works for Planet Green.

A downy woodpecker in a tree as fall colors are on display at Meadow Lane Park in Omaha on Thursday.

Nebraska head coach John Cook celebrates with fans following the Wisconsin vs. Nebraska college volleyball match at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The Huskers won in five sets.

Nebraska reacts after a final challenge goes their way and they win over Wisconsin during a college volleyball match at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The Huskers won in five sets.

Elkhorn South's Dylan Kingston (80) punts the ball against Omaha North at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.​ Omaha North used smoke when the ran onto the field and in hung in the air for most of the first quarter.

Morning rush hour speeds by on Highway 75 as "Starseeds,"a mural by Sarah Rowe on silos at the Ardent Mills Omaha South Mill located at 2900 C St, is almost finished.

Northwestern's Devin Turner (9) wraps ups Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg (10) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Nebraska's Joshua Fleeks (11) fumbles during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Nebraska's James Williams (90) signs autographs for fans after defeating Northwestern during a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Northwestern's Garnett Hollis, Jr. (2) keeps Nebraska's Jaidyn Doss (85) from catching a pass during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Nebraska's Ty Robinson (9) celebrates a sack late in the fourth quarter during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Millard North, left, and Papillion-La Vista stand during the National anthem before playing in the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

Papillion-La Vista's Avery Wolfe (3) celebrates a two-run home run against Millard North during fifth inning of the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

Papillion-La Vista celebrates their win over Millard North for the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

Looking north on 48th Street, towards Center Street, Omaha fire and rescue investigate the scene of a car accident where a vehicle landed on its roof on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. No one was seriously injured.

Omaha Westside's Anthony Rezac (5) leaps over Millard South's Javonte Walker (1) into the end zone in the Omaha Westside vs. Millard South football game at Millard South High School in Omaha on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Omaha Westside won the game 31-14.

Omaha women are brought to tears during a rally in support of Palestinians at 72nd and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Omaha Creighton Prep's Tony Coniglio (5) tries to get away from Papillion-La Vista's Payton Prestito (21) in the Papillion-La Vista vs. Omaha Creighton Prep football game at Omaha Burke High School in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Elkhorn's Charlie Lamksi, right, celebrates catching a pass behind Blair's Ethan Baessler during the second half at Elkhorn on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Blair's Brock Templar sacks Elkhorn quarterback Kayd Matthews during the first half at Elkhorn on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Bob Kerrey walks under the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Bob Kerrey gives a speech in front of the pedestrian bridge that bears his name on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Lincoln Pius X players celebrate their victory following the Millard West vs. Lincoln Pius X district A-6 softball championship at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Lincoln Pius X won the title 4-3.

From left: Omaha's Ede Gramberg (8), Omaha's Gonzalo Cuevas (2) and Omaha's Theo Klein (10) celebrate Klein's goal during the second half of a men's college soccer game at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

Creighton's Dominic Briggs (12) watches a shot sail past Omaha's Nathanael Sallah (30) and wide of the goal during the second half of a men's college soccer game at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

Omaha police investigate an officer-involved shooting near 60th and Jaynes Streets on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

ebamer@owh.com Twitter @ErinBamer