When the Oklahoma House Energy Committee meets this week, it will consider a call for the creation of an Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office.
While Oklahoma has no nuclear energy power plants in operation, Rep. Nick Archer (R-Elk City) wants to be ready. He filed HB3175 which would create the office and also create what he calls the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Development Revolving Fund.
“The Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office is an office
within the office of the Governor and the Office shall be assigned
to the Secretary of Energy,” stated the bill.
A nuclear energy study has been conducted over the past several months by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission because of the legislative interest in the booming demand for expanded energy production ability. Nuclear energy is among those possible sources of energy as the state faces more calls for electrical power due to industrial growth in the state.
The bill stated it has a purpose to, “Lead the transition to a balanced energy future by advancing innovative nuclear energy generation technologies while delivering safe, reliable, and clean energy solutions that address the state’s growing demand;
Enhance the state’s energy security, foster economic growth,
and ensure the safety of future nuclear energy generation
development.”
The measure would also require the governor to name a director of the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a director who would serve at “the pleasure of the Governor.”