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The recent passage of Senate Bill 4 which repeals the ban on nuclear power plants is long overdue.
As a past state senator, I spent years, to no avail, proposing legislation that would eliminate this ban. I always felt West Virginia was inconsistent in challenging other states which had adverse positions on coal while at the same time banned the construction of nuclear power plants in its own state.
Times are changing and West Virginia is beginning to realize it is not an island unto itself.
Senate President Craig Blair and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw deserve praise for their leadership in championing this progressive legislation, as does Governor Jim Justice, who signed the legislation into law. As a seasoned coal operator, Governor Justice intimately understands the challenges facing the industry. He also understands the state needs to stay competitive in a rapidly changing energy environment. His comments to the legislature urging them to watch these developments carefully "to insure appropriate regulatory and safety measures are in place as new technologies are developed and implemented" is wise counsel. SB 4 is as much about the present as it is the future.
Small Modular Reactors (SMR) will be significant in the expanded role of nuclear energy in the coming decade. The Good Energy Collective's policy report titled, Opportunities for Coal Communities Through Nuclear Energy: An Early Look, identifies coal plants that appear suitable for repowering by SMR's. Interestingly, none are identified in West Virginia as compared to the five identified in Ohio, four in Kentucky, two in Virginia, and one in Pennsylvania. If for no other reason, this is an opportunity for economic growth, good-paying jobs, and environmental justice that our coal-based communities deserve.
The Virginia legislature is currently considering a nuclear energy strategic plan. I respectfully urge the Governor and legislators to make this a priority. Preparing for the future starts with researching all possibilities that can be put on the table. There is considerable due diligence and policy formulation that requires immediate attention.
As the Governor has said, the state needs to be ready, both from a regulatory and safety perspective, to address the opportunities before us. It is not about historically being a major energy producing state, it is about staying ahead of the curve and adapting as economic and technological energy opportunities present themselves. The passage of SB 4 is a good start, but it is only a start.
Former W.Va State Sen. Brooks McCabe of Charleston is a commercial broker and developer, as well as a public service commissioner.