Illinois’ moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants will be up for debate during the veto session which begins next week.
Republican Sen. Sue Rezin has filed a new bill to rescind the current moratorium in place since 1987. The measure passed the General Assembly in the spring but was vetoed by Gov. Pritzker.
Opponents of the bill complain that the technology promoted by the nuclear industry, Small Modular Reactors, isn’t ready for commercial production, while the underlying problems of long-term waste disposal have yet to be addressed.
Proponents argue that Illinois will need nuclear power in order to meet its carbon emissions goals.
