Kristy Hartman, Program Manager Dan Shea, Policy Associate. November 2016

Transcription

1 Kristy Hartman, Program Manager Dan Shea, Policy Associate November 2016

2 NCSL Report: State Options to Keep Nuclear in the Energy Mix Background on nuclear plant closures In-depth discussion on market structures State case studies Examples of policy options

3 Reactor Closures 6 reactors shut down 8 reactors scheduled to shut down reactors at risk * Operators have said these reactors could be retained through policy changes. Since 2013, the following nuclear power plants have shut down: Crystal River 3 Kewaunee San Onofre 2 & 3 Vermont Yankee Fort Calhoun The following nuclear plants have announced plans to close by 2019: Oyster Creek Pilgrim FitzPatrick * Clinton * Quad Cities 1 & 2 * Another plant announced plans to shut down by 2025: Diablo Canyon 1 & 2

4 State Legislative Role Signal state s stance on nuclear Determine state energy mix Enable Financing Education and Outreach

5 Legislation in Support of Nuclear Since 2011, bills have been introduced in at least 13 states expressing support for nuclear. Of those, nine states passed measures.

6 Moratoriums on New Nuclear Fifteen states have passed some form of legislation placing restrictions on new nuclear construction. Wisconsin recently repealed its moratorium on new nuclear. Alaska repealed its moratorium in 2010.

7 Education & Outreach Legislatures have the power to initiate dialogue, inform the public and highlight issues through public hearings. Connecticut General Assembly has taken this route in crafting legislation in support of nuclear.

8 State Energy Mix State legislatures increasingly have their say in the state s energy mix: RPS requirements Technology-specific subsidies Tax policies

9 Policy Options Zero Emissions Credits (ZECs) Nuclear Portfolio Standards State Carbon Tax/Cap & Trade State-Mandated PPAs Tax Incentives State as Caretaker

10 Zero Emissions Credits ZECs offer financial compensation for every megawatthour (MWh) of carbon-free electricity produced by a qualifying facility.

11 ZECs in New York Ratepayers Utilities NYSERDA Nuclear Plants

12 Example: Utica Gas & Electric Serves 5% of state electric load, with around 1 million customers Nuclear plants produce 27.6 million MWh per $17.48/MWh $482 million in ZECs UG&E responsible for 5% $24 million/year $2 million/month UG&E recover cost through ratepayers Around $2/month

13 Mandatory RPS: 29 states & D.C. Voluntary RPS: 8 states

14 What s in a Name? Nuclear Energy Standard Low-Carbon Portfolio Standard Alternative Energy Standard Sustainable Energy Standard Zero Emission Standard Clean Energy Standard Reliable Energy Standard Electric Diversity Standard

15 State as Caretaker Owner NY S.B (2016) was introduced in an attempt to retain FitzPatrick. In the absence of another buyer, this bill would have directed the state to purchase the plant and keep it operating.

16 Nuclear Waste Legislation Twenty-one states introduced legislation Primary Focus: Emergency Response and Preparedness Mitigation Interim Storage Permanent Repository

17 Interim Storage Sites NM H.M. 40 and S.M. 34 (2016) encourage development of an interim storage site. MI H.R. 220 (2016) encourages development of new facilities to reprocess and recycle spent fuel. ID H.R.C. 60 (2016) encourages spent fuel to be sent to Idaho National Lab for research purposes.

18 Contact and Resources Kristy Hartman, NCSL Phone: Dan Shea, NCSL Phone: NCSL Environment and Energy Legislative Database State Restrictions on New Nuclear Power Facility Construction NCSL s Nuclear Legislative Working Group State Action in Support of Nuclear Generation