AB-2647 • 2026

Energy: nuclear powerplants: assessment.

Energy Taxes Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Calderon
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how labor requirements will be enforced or what technologies must be used for waste disposal, leaving these points as limits and unknowns.

Nuclear Powerplants Assessment

This law allows advanced nuclear reactors in California under certain conditions and requires a study on their role in meeting the state's clean energy goals.

What This Bill Does

Exempts advanced nuclear reactors from existing prohibitions, allowing them to be built if they meet specific labor requirements.
Requires the Energy Commission to verify that owners, operators, or developers of these reactors have made legally enforceable commitments to comply with certain labor requirements before certification.
Needs the Energy Commission to prepare a comprehensive assessment by July 1, 2027 on how advanced nuclear technologies can support critical infrastructure and meet California's electricity needs while aligning with clean energy goals.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
Owners, operators, or developers of advanced nuclear reactors

Terms To Know

Advanced Nuclear Reactors: New types of nuclear power plants that are designed to be safer and more efficient than older models.
Energy Commission: A state agency responsible for certifying large power plants and making decisions about energy resources in California.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the labor requirements will be enforced.
It is unclear what specific technologies or methods must be used to dispose of nuclear waste from these reactors.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-21 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on U. & E.)
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & E.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2647, as amended, Calderon.
Energy: nuclear
facilities: advanced nuclear reactors.
powerplants: assessment.
Existing law vests the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) with the exclusive jurisdiction to certify thermal powerplants with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts or more. Existing law prohibits the Energy Commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.
Existing law, the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018, declares that it is the
policy of the state to achieve 100 percent zero-carbon electricity by 2045.
This bill would exempt advanced nuclear reactors, as defined, from that prohibition. The bill would require the
commission, before making a determination that an advanced nuclear reactor is not subject to the prohibition, to verify that the owner, operator, or developer of the advanced nuclear reactor has made legally enforceable commitment to comply with certain labor requirements. The bill would, except as provided, require the owner, operator, or developer of an advanced nuclear reactor that is certified by the commission to comply with those labor requirements.
This bill would require the Energy Commission, on or before July 1, 2027, to prepare, as provided, a comprehensive assessment of the potential role for advanced nuclear technologies in supporting critical infrastructure in California, and of the potential for new, in-state nuclear powerplants to cost-effectively meet statewide needs for new electricity resources, and to meet the expressed policy of the state
described above. The bill would authorize the Energy Commission to update the assessment as appropriate. The bill would authorize the Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, the Independent System Operator, and other public agencies to evaluate the potential of nuclear energy to meet long-term resource needs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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