The North Dakota legislature has passed a bill allowing nuclear energy research within the state, setting the stage for active discussions on the matter.

On Wednesday, the North Dakota House of Representatives voted 57-32 in favor of Senate Bill 2159, which permits the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) located in Grand Forks to conduct research on nuclear energy. The bill had already passed the Senate with an overwhelming 45-2 vote and will now return to the Senate for consideration of House amendments.   

Supporters of the nuclear research argue that North Dakota should not be left behind as global interest in nuclear energy resurges. "We need to be part of this discussion," emphasized Republican Rep. Jon Nelson of Rugby, whose district was previously proposed as a site for exploratory boreholes by the U.S. Department of Energy to assess its suitability for a nuclear waste repository.

Following that proposal, North Dakota lawmakers have sought to clarify laws related to high-level radioactive waste storage. In 2019, a bill was passed, driven by concerns from citizen groups, prohibiting the "siting, storage, exploration, testing, or disposal of high-level radioactive waste in North Dakota."

The current EERC research bill has raised concerns that it could lead to the establishment of above-ground storage facilities. Some opponents argue that the legislation could pave the way for unwanted radioactive nuclear waste to enter the state. However, Rep. Nelson disagreed, stating, "We don't want to be a dumping ground. I think there are safeguards in place."

These safeguards include an amendment requiring any proposed nuclear research by the EERC to be approved in consultation with the state Industrial Commission and the state High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee. The EERC, designated as a state energy research center under the purview of the Industrial Commission, submitted testimony in favor of the bill.

The EERC research bill was sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue of Minot, who chairs the Energy Development and Transmission Committee that examined the potential of nuclear energy between legislative sessions.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Todd Porter of Mandan pointed to the example of Wyoming, where a coal-fired power plant is being converted into a small nuclear power plant, as a case of competition with other states to recycle spent nuclear fuel rods. Porter suggested that fuel rods from the Monticello nuclear power plant in Minnesota could potentially be used in North Dakota, emphasizing the need for preliminary research. "We need to allow the EERC to do what the people of North Dakota, what we've asked them to do, which is pursue an all-of-the-above energy portfolio," he stated.

In addition, the House also passed House Bill 1025, which calls for a legislative study into the potential for nuclear power plants in North Dakota. However, Republican Rep. Jared Hagert of Fargo argued that the results of such a study should be awaited before approving nuclear research.   

If the bill ultimately passes the Senate, North Dakota is poised to move forward with nuclear energy research, potentially opening new avenues for its energy industry.

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