Delaware lawmakers exploring nuclear energy as cost-effective solution to electricity needs

DOVER, Del. – Some Delaware lawmakers are pushing to create a task force to explore nuclear energy which they say could be a more cost-effective option for electricity needs in the First State.

This latest effort comes after Delawareans were hit with higher electric bills, spurring the conversation in Dover as to what to can be done to help, and some lawmakers believe the answer is nuclear energy.

“What we’re trying to do now is to look at ways that nuclear energy can be implemented in a cost-effective, very efficient way,” explained State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, one of the lawmakers throwing their support behind the proposal.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 would create the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force. The measure, brought forth by State Senator Bryant Richardson, would explore the feasibility of using Small Modular Reactors to help meet Delaware’s energy needs.

“The small modular reactor facilities, they’re expected to have a life-span of anywhere from 60 to 80 years, or even up to a hundred years, so just from that alone you think that you’re not going to have to replace these facilities every 20 years,” Sen. Richardson said. “Cost-savings is going to be enormous.”

While the word nuclear may sound intimidating, lawmakers in support of the measure stress that they are by and large very safe.

“Safety has been enhanced with the small nuclear reactors and their design,” Rep. Hilovsky stated.

“What they do is they put wells in there, concrete wells, and they put the modular reactors at the bottom of those,” Sen. Richardson explained. “So, that if there is any mishaps it can be easily taken care of, but the risk is minimal.”

While construction costs will likely be high, lawmakers who support the idea say it will pay off in the long run.

“Can I guarantee that it’s going to be cheap, cheap, cheap, the answer is construction costs are going to be expensive, in any place it’s going to be expensive,” Rep. Hilovsky said. “So, hopefully the efficiency will mitigate the cost.”‘

If the measure passes, the task force will be comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, including energy experts, environmental specialists, business leaders, and policymakers.

A final report on the study would come out sometime in the Fall of this year.