A Freedom Caucus-backed measure to ban spent nuclear fuel waste storage in Wyoming, unless affirmed by a vote of the people, failed to receive the two-thirds vote required to advance in the Legislature’s budget session.
House Joint Resolution 3, “Storage of spent nuclear fuel and waste-vote required,” died Tuesday on the House floor on a 32-30 vote. It would have put a referendum on the general election ballot this year to amend the state’s constitution, banning nuclear waste storage unless approved by voters on a case-by-case basis.
Nuclear waste storage was among the most high-profile conflicts in Wyoming last year as the state drew increasing interest from nuclear energy developers eager to ride the momentum of President Donald Trump’s push for the industry.
Lead sponsor of the resolution, Midwest Republican Rep. Bill Allemand, spent much of the year railing against Radiant Industries’ proposed nuclear microreactor manufacturing facility slated to be built outside Bar Nunn in Natrona County. He, along with local residents, argued that state and local officials ignored concerns about Radiant’s plans to store spent nuclear fuel waste from its reactors near homes and schools.
At the same time, many residents in both Natrona and Campbell counties told WyoFile they were open to nuclear energy projects, but demanded detailed, trustworthy information.
Radiant withdrew its Wyoming plans in October and moved the project to Tennessee.
“This simple little bill is what our constituents have been yelling for all summer, and this fall,” Allemand said on the House floor. “I have heard angry people from all across this state, from Bar Nunn and Casper to Gillette, Rock Springs, Cody and many more, telling me that their town councils and county commissions don’t care about them and their future.”
Lander Republican Rep. Lloyd Larsen, a longtime nuclear energy proponent, spoke against the bill. He said a case-by-case vote of the people “becomes very problematic if your industry is trying to come into the state.”
Wyoming already has permitting processes that allows for public comment, Larsen said, adding that the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission ensures industry standards.
“Having this — each one of these — come as a vote before the people, is very problematic for the future and for the businesses of Wyoming,” Larsen said.
The rift over Radiant Industries, and its exit from Wyoming, helped define a divide between the Freedom Caucus and other Republican officials, including Gov. Mark Gordon.
After Radiant’s exit, Gordon proclaimed, “Members of the Freedom Caucus inspired ‘Club No’ convinced Radiant that Wyoming isn’t about leadership and problem solving.”
Asked about the resolution’s failure on Tuesday, Gordon said nuclear waste storage is something that the nation needs to figure out, noting there is no permanent federal repository.
“We have the highest reserves of uranium [in Wyoming] but we don’t have manufacturing capacity for that,” Gordon said. “Wyoming doesn’t want to be the waste repository, but we’ve got to have some ability to make sure that our [uranium] industry has a future because, believe me, nuclear [energy] is a very big part of our future under any scenario.”
For more legislative coverage, click here.
I’m flabbergasted that state government officials and representatives are so concerned about the storage of spent nuclear fuel, nuclear ‘waste’ is inert decayed fuel that is stored in sealed steel containers filled with and surrounded in cement, not glowing green and yellow mystery goop that pop culture and TV shows like the Simpson’s may lead you to believe. Nuclear energy has been and will continue to be in the future, the most efficient and sustainable method of energy production in the world. More than solar, wind, or geothermal, though the push for any renewable energy development is, in my opinion, a welcome one. Historically Wyoming has been a behemoth of coal and methane mining, collection, and export. That was the past, nuclear energy development is the future. As was mentioned in the article, Wyoming is home to some of the largest concentrations of raw uranium in the world, and it would be in the best interest of the state to contract companies to develop nuclear infrastructure and resource collection. Not only would that bring skilled job opportunities long term and economic stimulus, because of the efficiency of nuclear energy development the power unused by the residents of the state could be sold for the benefit of state funds to other locations. Non renewable coal and methane mining is antiquated and becoming more obsolete by the day as the demand for renewable energy increases on a global scale, if the representatives of the constituents of Wyoming truely care about the future of the state, they should push for the development of nuclear infrastructure across the state.
Roger, I dont know how old you are, but Americans have been told for generations that Nuclear is not safe enough for us and completely shelved since the 1970s. Now that Big tech needs the power it is suddenly “OK” again again is being pushed everywhere in this country.
Any nuclear development is not going to go towards the people of this country and our skyrocketing electric bills, it will go to Datacenters along with our water.
There is ZERO reason for any average American to support Nuclear power as it is NOT for “us”. And many would argue it would be used towards our detriment.
I agree with rep lloyd larsefrom lander.everything is as per nrc standards.its good work wyoming work.nuclear power is the next phase of power generation.time to lesson our dependence to coal oil gas.
The dumb caucus always says all their constituents. Tell them this or all the constituent Tell them that.
All of them use the phrase so I’m pretty sure it’s taught in there how to be dumb lessons
John, I’m not sure exactly what your comment is getting at relating to this story?
Are you open to storing nuclear waste in YOUR backyard?
Subtitle-
“”The Freedom Caucus-backed measure would have banned nuclear fuel waste storage unless approved by voters on a case-by-case basis.””
Wow, the bill sounded outrageous, not.
Want to know who isnt looking out for the people of Wyoming, just go to the Nay votes for this measure.