Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address the management and storage of spent nuclear fuel in Minnesota. It mandates the transfer of nuclear waste from the Prairie Island facility to a new site, while also authorizing the construction of additional storage at the Monticello nuclear generating plant. Additionally, it includes provisions for modifying financial contributions to Minnesota's renewable development account to cover transportation costs related to these changes in nuclear waste storage.

Main Provisions

1. Spent Nuclear Fuel Transfer:

   • Requires spent nuclear fuel stored at Prairie Island to be moved to a new site that is neither on Prairie Island nor at Monticello once such a site is available.
   • Authorizes the construction of additional spent fuel storage at the Monticello plant to facilitate the transfer from Prairie Island.

2. Funding Adjustments for Renewable Development:

   • Allows the public utility that owns the Prairie Island plant to withhold funds from the renewable development account to cover the costs of transporting nuclear waste to Monticello.
   • Previously established contributions from the Prairie Island and Monticello plants to this account are adjusted to accommodate these new financial obligations.

3. Repeal of Statutes:

   • Repeals certain sections related to old incentive programs for renewable energy production previously funded from the renewable development account.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the statutes to include provisions for the construction and financial arrangements for nuclear waste storage and transportation.
• Adjusts the financial transfers from nuclear plant operators to the renewable development fund, factoring in the costs associated with transporting spent nuclear fuel.
• Discontinues some incentive programs for renewable energy production, suggesting a shift in priorities toward managing nuclear waste storage challenges.

Relevant Terms

• Nuclear waste
• Spent nuclear fuel
• Prairie Island
• Monticello nuclear generating plant
• Renewable development account
• Dry cask storage
• Environmental Quality Board
• United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission