Two Washington state lawmakers have introduced legislation that requests the governor pursue the Department of Energy’s state nuclear lifecycle campus inquiry.
The bill, House Joint Memorial 4016, was initiated by state Reps. Stephanie Barnard (R) and Mark Klicker (R) on Feb. 14.
The two lawmakers represent districts not far from DOE’s largest nuclear cleanup site and the only nuclear power plant in Washington state.
Klicker represents Walla Walla, Wash., located within the emergency preparedness planning zone for the Columbia Generating Station in Richland, and 70–80 miles away from the Hanford Cleanup Site. Barnard represents Pasco, nearly 30 miles from both Hanford and the Columbia plant..
“This is a race, and Washington needs to get in the running,” Barnard said in a Feb. 14 press release. “We have the most talented nuclear workforce in the country right in our backyard. But talent follows opportunity. If we don’t signal that we are open for business and ready to host these advanced facilities, that investment and those jobs will go to states that are hungrier for them.”
The bill requests Gov. Bob Ferguson (D), express the state’s interest in the solicitation and direct the appropriate state agency or task force to submit a response.
The lawmakers also want Ferguson to inform the secretary of energy about the state’s support for the nuclear lifecycle campus and to coordinate with state agencies, industry and other stakeholders to develop a plan that can maximize the economic and energy benefits of the federal-state program.
Ferguson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. As attorney general, Ferguson pushed to ensure high-level radioactive waste is removed from Washington state and taken to a deep geologic disposal site.
The bill has been referred to the state House Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.
DOE’s solicitation, published Jan. 28, is seeking to gauge states’ interest in hosting a nuclear lifecycle campus that could include fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment and disposal of waste. The campuses could also support a potential advanced reactor and a co-located data center.
Responses for the RFI are due April 1.
If adopted, then the joint memorial will be sent to Ferguson, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Washington’s state congressional delegation, according to the release.
Separately, representatives from South Carolin and Tennessee recently told Exchange Monitor their states have been in contact with DOE about the potential lifecycle hubs.