Legislation intended to strengthen Michigan’s nuclear industry could come up for a vote in Lansing in the next week.

State Representative Joey Andrews tells us the package of bills he’s worked on with multiple colleagues would attract nuclear energy providers to the state.

“The package has an R&D tax credit for small modular reactor research, would defined advanced reactors in statute, and then creates a grant program, in part, for our colleges and universities to train nuclear and hydrogen workforce,” Andrews said. 

There would also be a grant program to entice nuclear energy workers to move to the state.

Andrews says with Holtec International already planning to construct a couple of small modular reactors at the Palisades plant, encouraging their design and development in Michigan has already gotten off to a good start. He wants to send a message to nuclear energy companies.

“It doesn’t matter who’s in control of the government, Michigan’s a pro-nuclear state. So, hopefully give them the confidence that they can make long-term plans here.”

Andrews says the industry has been cautious about expansion due to swings in public opinion over the years, but it’s becoming clear nuclear energy is good for the future.

Andrews says the legislation has bipartisan support and had a committee hearing this week. He’s now working to bring it to the House floor for a vote.