Wisconsin Considering Nuclear Energy Expansion Due To Data Center Demand

[Kale Carey]

WISCONSIN LAWMAKERS ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING A PAIR OF BILLS AIMING TO ADVANCE NUCLEAR ENERGY INITIATIVES WITHIN THE STATE.

THESE TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION WERE DISCUSSED WEDNESDAY DURING A PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE WISCONSIN STATE ASSEMBLY’S COMMITTEE ON JOBS AND ECONOMY.

“I deliberation nan atomic renaissance is upon us, and I deliberation it’s present now, and we amended beryllium fresh for it,” said Rep. Shae Sortwell.

[Kale Carey]

THE FIRST BILL DIRECTS THE STATE’S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ASSESSING POSSIBLE SITES FOR NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS ACROSS WISCONSIN.

THIS STUDY WOULD BE DUE WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE LEGISLATION’S POTENTIAL PASSAGE-

AND IT WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION A RECENT ENERGY DEPARTMENT REPORT WHICH IDENTIFIED TWO FORMER COAL PLANT SITES AS POSSIBLE LOCATIONS FOR FUTURE REACTORS.

MEANWHILE, THE SECOND BILL PROPOSES HOSTING A ONE-TIME NUCLEAR POWER SUMMIT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON’S NEW ENGINEERING BUILDING-

TO BE HELD ONCE THE FACILITY IS COMPLETED.

“Nuclear powerfulness is ever disposable and will beryllium a captious portion of our infrastructure, and these bills are a mini measurement guardant successful recognizing that reality,” said Rep. Shae Sortwell.

[Kale Carey]

ALSO MENTIONED DURING THE HEARING WAS THE PROSPECT OF NUCLEAR FUSION-

A TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS STILL BEING DEVELOPED, BUT OFFERS THE POSSIBILITY OF LIMITLESS ENERGY.

SEVERAL STARTUPS IN WISCONSIN ARE PURSUING THE CREATION OF FUSION REACTORS-

AS A PROFESSOR AT UW-MADISON NOTED DURING THE HEARING THE STATE’S EXISTING MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRIES ARE POSSIBLE ADVANTAGES IN BUILDING AND SUPPORTING FUSION ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

THESE NUCLEAR-RELATED BILLS ARE BEING PROPOSED AS WISCONSIN FACES AN UPTICK IN ELECTRICITY DEMAND FROM THE STATE’S ENERGY-INTENSIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SUPPORTING DATA CENTERS.

“The State of Wisconsin imports six times much power than it produces. And pinch nan imaginable of information centers coming to Wisconsin, nan request for powerfulness procreation only is going to increase,” said Rep. David Steffen.

[Kale Carey]

BOTH BILLS ARE STILL AWAITING A VOTE BY THE COMMITTEE BEFORE THEY CAN POTENTIALLY MOVE ON THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. 

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KALE CAREY.