Lifting Wisconsin’s Nuclear Moratorium

The Problem:

As a result of fears about nuclear power over a generation ago, Wisconsin placed a moratorium on construction of new nuclear generating facilities.  Since that time, the two nuclear facilities in our state have safely and economically produced about 20% of Wisconsin’s electrical production.  Despite this record and advances in safety, efficiency and storage, Wisconsin still cannot even weigh the costs and benefits of new nuclear generation.

Why Consider Nuclear Energy:

-      Base-Load Options – “Base-load” refers to the energy that can be counted on regardless of weather or time of day to produce economical energy to meet constant, normal activity.  Wind and solar cannot be relied of even most of the time.  Coal (70%) and nuclear (20%) are Wisconsin’s only major base-load sources of electricity.  If we are serious about reducing reliance on coal, nuclear is the only serious option.

-      Emission Reduction Options – Illinois relies on nuclear for 48% of base-load generation.  If we got half of our energy from nuclear, millions of tons of emissions would be eliminated.

-      Cost - The cost of energy generated by nuclear power has dropped while other sources continue to rise.

-      Wisconsin Jobs – Federal climate legislation will be especially hard on coal-dependent states.  If Wisconsin doesn’t have another base-load option, generation will move out of state.  That means Wisconsin ratepayers will pay send hundreds of millions of dollars to create high quality construction and utility jobs in other states.

What the legislation would do:

Lifting the nuclear moratorium would only allow a rational discussion of nuclear energy.  If someone wanted to construct a plant, the Public Service Commission and the DNR as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would each hold the power to block the project.

Status:

The provision has been proposed in recent legislative sessions and will be introduced again.

WUI Position:

WUI supports lifting the moratorium.  It just makes sense to allow the state to consider nuclear as a clean source of economical base-load energy and Wisconsin jobs.