Utilities explore nuclear power despite state moratorium

Minnesota utilities face a state deadline to provide 100 percent of power from carbon-free sources by 2040, just 15 years from now. It’s a pipe dream, given the unreliability of wind and solar generation by definition, as well as the prohibition against new nuclear power plants in Minnesota.

Despite the moratorium, however, there’s increasing talk among utility operators that something has to give when it comes to nuclear power. At the same time, there’s an emerging acknowledgement of the limitations of other forms of renewable energy.

With a national policy goal of eliminating coal fired plants, and a state mandate of producing completely carbon-free generation by 2040, how will energy needs be met?

“We cannot meet the power need with wind and solar,” explained Brad Dolinski, CEO of North Itasca Electric Cooperative. “We have to talk nuclear…”

Education about nuclear energy is needed, Dolinski realized, if people are to form an opinion on whether to support it, especially since legislation would be needed to reverse the existing moratorium in the state on nuclear power construction.

That reality check came at an October meeting held in Bigfork by North Itasca, a small northern Minnesota electric coop, focusing on building support for nuclear power generation. Minnesota remains one of twelve states with a nuclear moratorium, but there’s building momentum for a new generation of smaller nuclear reactors.

World-wide, nuclear plants are being built, and in the U.S. some states are reversing moratoriums, like Illinois.  Nationally there is a lot of energy toward doing this, said [Minnesota Rural Electric Association CEO Darrick] Moe. One audience member pointed out that private companies are entering the market, with Microsoft planning to repower Three Mile Island to support its computing needs, and Bill Gates developing plants in Wyoming. 

In planning, [Great River Energy official Kyle] Lier noted that GRE looks at providing power that is affordable, reliable and sustainable.  He believes that Minnesota is getting down to a tipping point on baseline energy where nuclear may be the only option. 

Two pro-nuclear power members of the Minnesota State Legislature from northern Minnesota, GOP Rep. Spencer Igo and DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild, also attended the session.

Sen. Grant Hauschild assured the audience that he supports both green energy and nuclear power and believes that the state goals are unachievable without nuclear.  He is working toward permitting reform and coordinating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources reviews so that they arrive at the end of the review in agreement.

Rep. Spencer Igo is on the House Energy Committee, and has carried a bill since 2020 to abolish the moratorium. He said that legislators often get pressure from delegates from outside Minnesota on legislation based on their organizational priorities instead of Minnesota needs, like a recent carbon capture bill.

Wisconsin and other states already have a jump on Minnesota in moving toward a future with new nuclear power generation. The sooner state legislators get the message and rescind Minnesota’s nuclear power moratorium, the better the chances of meeting every utility’s goal of providing safe, reliable and affordable energy.