The feasibility of nuclear-powered energy sources is once again being considered by public utilities and other energy suppliers, as statewide goals for reducing carbon emissions ramp up.
House Bill 1018 — sponsored by Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Oak Harbor — could help make nuclear energy a reality.
The bill allows fusion energy facilities to use the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council’s certification process. This allows fusion-powered nuclear energy facilities to go directly to either the state or local government entity for permission to build, similar to the process for wind and solar energy projects.
Previously, state law didn’t distinguish between fission and fusion. Nuclear fission splits atoms, while nuclear fusion joins them. Both processes produce energy.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, which includes representatives from several state government departments, would still have to make a recommendation to the governor, who makes the final decision.
In 2023, Clark Public Utilities participated in Energy Northwest’s feasibility study for a nuclear power project. Clark Public Utilities gets electricity from a variety of sources, including hydropower, natural gas, wind and nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy has a troubled past. Dozens of accidents at nuclear plants in the United States, and across the globe, have left many doubting its ability to be a safe source of energy.
But with state-required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions coming by 2030, others say nuclear energy will have to be considered.
“I believe fusion energy is the future of clean energy,” Shavers said during a Jan. 20 hearing on the bill.
