Louisiana is moving to fast-track environmental permitting for advanced nuclear projects under a bill that aligns the state with a national effort to accelerate next-gen reactor development, The Center Square writes.
Senate Bill 127, from Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City, would streamline air and water permitting for small modular reactors and similar technologies—especially those tied to federal partnerships. Officials say the change would cut red tape and remove state-level bottlenecks without expanding agency authority.
The move dovetails with the federal ADVANCE Act, passed last year, which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to work more closely with the Department of Energy, increase staffing, and reduce regulatory delays. While full reactor deployment still takes years, the new approach could cut timelines in half—a crucial shift for companies like Nano Nuclear Energy Inc., which develops small-scale reactors.
Still, watchdogs warn of financial risks for ratepayers, pointing to massive cost overruns in past nuclear projects. Proponents argue that smaller, modular designs could mitigate those risks and lower the bar for investment, making nuclear more viable and scalable in the carbon-free energy mix. Read the full story from The Center Square. Also, read an in-depth report on nuclear developments in Louisiana in the latest 10/12 Industry Report cover story.
