New nuclear energy technology exploration bill passes Delaware house

A resolution that would call for Delaware to explore using a new form of nuclear energy technology passed the State House Wednesday.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, sponsored by State Sen. Bryant Richardson (R-Seaford), calls for the formation of the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force to look into the potential adoption of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), as a way to limit or remove the need for Delaware to import electricity.

According to NuScale, who has been an industry forerunner when it comes to SMR technology, they can be up-and-running within 3 years of the first concrete layer, and received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

A SMR has a smaller footprint than a traditional nuclear reactor, like the ones in Salem, New Jersey, just over the Delaware Bay.

There have been problems getting started, specifically in Utah.

NuSale's first project was a six-reactor plant, that would have powered more than 300,000 homes starting in 2029, replacing coal plants, but was terminated in 2023 after a decade's worth of work on the project.

In 2023, Timothy Fox, vice president at ClearView Energy Partners, a Washington-based research firm, called NuScale’s announcement “a substantial setback” for small nuclear power, but said there is still “a lot of interest out there” in developing the technology at other sites. It was not yet clear whether other projects under development face similar obstacles, he said.

“This was the frontrunner, and the frontrunner has now faltered,’' Fox said.

State Sen. Dave Sokola (D-Newark), supported the resolution, but said the task force should have a deeper energy investigation.

"It shouldn't be unnecessarily restrictive to small modular reactors, but it should have any energy tool that's in the box that's out that has a potential to keep a sufficient supply of energy for Delawareans."

Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend (D-Newark/Glasgow) initially said he would not vote against the resolution, but then joined Ray Siegfried (D-North Brandywine) as the 2 "no" votes, saying Richardson should have waited for a House version, that is still being worked out.

"Trying to figure out a way to look at all of the different options for energy in a productive way."

Sen. Richardson said he's open to amendments, but not inaction.

"This is the best that we can do right now. We've gathered our knowledge, we've done our research, and right now it's time to freeze the frame and move forward."

The 21-2 vote means SCR 18 goes to the State House next, where the potential amendments may be looming.

Additional power sources continue to be a topic, as the coal-based Indian River Power Plant was deactivated last month.

Richardson suggested that site could be retrofitted to help SMRs get a jump-start in Delaware.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.