(Joint Energy Committee Co-Chair Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, during a Sept. 24, 2025 committee hearing.)
Arkansas Considers Expanding Nuclear Power
Arkansas lawmakers are taking a hard look at the state’s energy future. This week, the Joint Energy Committee of the Arkansas legislature approved a $305,000 contract with an energy consultant to explore the feasibility of building new nuclear power plants. The proposal now heads to the Arkansas Legislative Council, which will hold a final vote on Friday.
Small Nuclear Reactors on the Table
The study will examine whether small modular reactors (SMRs) or microreactors could play a role in meeting Arkansas’s rising electricity needs. These technologies, still emerging in the U.S. market, promise lower construction costs, quicker build times, and flexibility for both urban and rural deployment. Supporters argue that SMRs could help balance grid reliability while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Current Reliance on Arkansas Nuclear One
Arkansas has just one nuclear facility, the Arkansas Nuclear One plant located near Russellville. Operated by Entergy Arkansas, it supplies nearly 56% of the utility’s electricity for 730,000 customers, according to Entergy. That makes nuclear energy a cornerstone of Arkansas’s grid, but also a single point of reliance.
The push for a feasibility study reflects growing concern over grid reliability and surging demand. As electric vehicle adoption, data centers, and manufacturing growth continue, policymakers are weighing whether the state needs more nuclear power to ensure long-term energy security.
Balancing Growth with Public Opinion
While nuclear advocates tout clean baseload energy, opponents have often raised concerns over cost, safety, and long-term waste storage. Arkansas lawmakers say this study will help determine whether new reactors are realistic and whether the state can address regulatory and public acceptance challenges.
The Mountain Home Observer, which first reported the story, noted that Arkansas could join a growing list of states considering next-generation nuclear projects as part of their clean energy strategies.
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Click here for Mountain Home Observer- edited for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today
