Plain English Breakdown
The specific definition of 'small modular reactor' is referenced but not included in the provided text excerpts.
AB-305: Changes Rules for Nuclear Facilities
This law exempts small modular reactors from certain state bans on nuclear power plants and requires the Public Utilities Commission to create a plan by January 1, 2028, to buy more electricity from nuclear facilities while phasing out purchases from natural gas.
What This Bill Does
- Exempts small modular reactors, as defined in the bill, from laws that generally block new nuclear fission thermal powerplants and restrict their land use.
- Requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt a plan by January 1, 2028.
- Directs the PUC plan to increase purchases of electricity generated from nuclear facilities.
- Directs the PUC plan to phase out purchases of electricity generated from natural gas facilities.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
- Electrical corporations regulated by the state
- Companies seeking to build small modular reactors in California
Terms To Know
- Small Modular Reactors
- A type of nuclear facility defined by this bill that is exempt from general bans on new nuclear powerplants.
- Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
- The state agency with regulatory authority over electrical and gas corporations in California.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill states that small modular reactors are 'as defined' but does not provide the specific definition text.
- The plan must increase nuclear procurement and phase out natural gas, but no specific amounts or timelines for these changes are listed in this summary.