Sussex legislators introduce resolution for panel that would study nuclear power plants

State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Long Neck/Oak Orchard,  serves as the co-prime sponsor of the resolution in the House.

“Nuclear energy, and specifically SMRs, presents an opportunity to provide Delaware with a stable, reliable, and carbon-free source of power,” said  Richardson. “By exploring this option, we can determine whether nuclear energy has a place in Delaware’s future and ensure that our residents and businesses have access to affordable and dependable electricity.”

SMRs offer several advantages over traditional nuclear plants, including enhanced safety measures, reduced land requirements, and lower cooling water needs. The task force will assess the viability of deploying SMRs in Delaware by examining potential locations, economic impacts, regulatory requirements, and environmental considerations, a release from the Senate Republican Caucus stated.

“As our state looks for sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, it’s important that we evaluate every viable option,” said Hilovsky. “This task force will provide the necessary research to determine whether clean nuclear energy can play a role in securing Delaware’s energy future while supporting economic growth and job creation.”

The task force will consist of representatives from the public and private sectors, including energy experts, environmental specialists, business leaders, and policymakers. The findings and recommendations will be compiled into a final report, which will be submitted to the General Assembly and the governor by October 31, 2025.

The resolution comes as both political parties in Delaware face pushback from constituents over rising utility bills largely brought on by cold winter weather. 

Legislators from both parties have introduced bills aimed at dealing with utility costs and dwindling of electric generating plant  reserve power.

One of the debates has centered on the  impact of renewable energy legislation championed by Democrats.

Nuclear power plants have moved into the mainstream and were part of the Biden Administration's clean energy agenda and legislation passed by Congress.

While Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and others are working to commercialize small nuclear power plants that would come with standardized designs that enhance safety,  deploying the technology is is not usually  viewed as a short-term  solution to a looming shortage of electric power and growing demand.

While new generation  nuclear plants  can be built on smaller parcels, they would draw not-in-my-backyard opposition in Delaware, a state that now has more than one  million people with explosive growth coming  in Sussex County, home of the bill's sponsors.

The small reactors have been proposed at sites of power plants that have been shut down or near existing reactors,  one Delaware example being the Indian River site in Sussex County. The final coal unit is shutting down after becoming unprofitable.

Over the years Delmarva Power weighed the use of nuclear power and reportedly considered a location in southern New Castle County that is now the site of the Whitehall community in the Middletown area.

The Three Mile Island nuclear incident in Pennsylvania largely halted development of new nuclear power plants and Delmarva exited the energy generation business. However, Microsoft recently inked a deal to open an undamaged Three Mile Island reactor to power a data center.

Delmarva parent company Exelon separated its utilities from  electric generation facilities that include nuclear plants.

Legislation  that passed Congress aims to pave the way for small reactors. However regulators have to approve designs, a typically lengthy process.