Task force continues study into Delaware's nuclear power potential

Delaware is continuing to examine the potential for nuclear power to offset the rising demand for energy — and the rising costs to Delawareans.

A legislative task force that was established last year was to have a report submitted by the end of 2025. Its chair, State Senator Stephanie Hansen, D- Middletown, said Monday there’s a new target.

“We have given ourselves until the end of July. That does not mean that we have to take until the end of July,” Hansen said.

Noting that other countries such as China and other states are turning to nuclear, Representative Jeff Hilovsky, R- Oak Orchard, Long Neck, Angola said “we have to be aware of where we stand. Other states are moving forward, and this is both blue states and red states.”

The main focus has been looking at the feasibility of small modular reactors.

Monday, members of the Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force heard from experts in the field of nuclear power, including “the back end of the fuel cycle.” Initially, according to John Wik, on-site disposal of spent nuclear fuel would likely be necessary.

“I’m not suggesting that you can’t do this. You just need to be aware that it’s going to be there,” Wik said. “It’s going to take up a piece of land that needs to be monitored actively, maintained and managed well into the future. That’s a concern that we have to consider.”

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