https://apnews.com/article/illinois-nuclear-small-modular-reactors-moratorium-a56a90a09185e864cdd7f5d6d24b9d48 [p] Menu AP Logo Menu * World * U.S. * Politics * Sports * Entertainment * Business * Science * Fact Check * Oddities * Health * Video * Climate * Spotlight * Photography * Tech * Lifestyle * Religion * Press Releases * ... + World o Israel-Hamas War o Russia-Ukraine War o Latin America o Europe o Africa o Middle East o Asia Pacific o U.S. News o Australia o China + U.S. + Politics o Joe Biden o Election 2024 o Congress + Sports o AP Top 25 College Football Poll o NFL o MLB o NHL o NBA o WNBA o Soccer o Tennis o Golf + Entertainment o Movie reviews o Book reviews o Celebrity o Television o Music + Business o Inflation o Financial Markets o Business Highlights o Financial wellness + Science + Fact Check + Oddities + Health + Video + Climate + Spotlight + Photography + Tech o Artificial Intelligence o Social Media + Lifestyle + Religion + Press Releases [ ] Search Query Submit Search Show Search * World + Israel-Hamas War + Russia-Ukraine War + Latin America + Europe + Africa + Middle East + Asia Pacific + U.S. News + Australia + China * U.S. * Politics + Joe Biden + Election 2024 + Congress * Sports + AP Top 25 College Football Poll + NFL + MLB + NHL + NBA + WNBA + Soccer + Tennis + Golf * Entertainment + Movie reviews + Book reviews + Celebrity + Television + Music * Business + Inflation + Financial Markets + Business Highlights + Financial wellness * Science * Fact Check * Oddities * Health * Video * Climate * Spotlight * Photography * Tech + Artificial Intelligence + Social Media * Lifestyle * Religion * Press Releases * * [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * + twitter + instagram + facebook * * The Associated Press + ap.org + Contact Us + Careers + Advertise with us + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook * * Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Israel-Hamas war Trump fraud trial Robert De Niro lawsuit Joe Manchin Luis Diaz's father released U.S. News Illinois Senate approves plan to allow new nuclear reactors State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, explains fresh legislation she introduced, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Springfield, Ill, lifting a moratorium on new nuclear reactors in Illinois. Legislation ending the 1987 prohibition won overwhelming approval last spring but Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed it, citing among other things, a need to modernize oversight rules. Rezin's plan calls for rules to be updated by January 2026 while allowing so-called SMRs, or small modular reactors, of no more than 300 megawatts to be installed, although none has been proposed and it could be a decade or more before one is operating. (AP Photo/John O'Connor) State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, explains fresh legislation she introduced, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Springfield, Ill, lifting a moratorium on new nuclear reactors in Illinois. Legislation ending the 1987 prohibition won overwhelming approval last spring but Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed it, citing among other things, a need to modernize oversight rules. Rezin's plan calls for rules to be updated by January 2026 while allowing so-called SMRs, or small modular reactors, of no more than 300 megawatts to be installed, although none has been proposed and it could be a decade or more before one is operating. (AP Photo/John O'Connor) By JOHN O'CONNOR Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The Illinois Senate approved lifting a 36-year-old moratorium on new nuclear power installments on Wednesday in a plan proponents say will ensure the state can meet its carbon-free power production promise by 2045. The Senate's 44-7 endorsement opens the door for cutting-edge nuclear technology in so-called small modular reactors, designed to sit on sites for which they produce power, such as large factories. Environmentalists have criticized the plan, noting that small modular reactors are a decade or more from viability. Sponsoring Sen. Sue Rezin, a Republican from Morris, said that's the reason, coupled with a federal permitting process of as much as eight years, her legislation is timely. "If we want to take advantage of the amazing advancements in new nuclear technology that have occurred over the past couple of decades and not fall behind the rest of the states, we need to act now," Rezin said. Other news FILE - Judge Robert Adrian presides over court on Aug. 26, 2020, in Adams County, Ill. Adrian could face removal from office after a judicial oversight body considered allegations this week, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 that he circumvented the law when he decided to reverse a rape conviction in a move that sparked outrage in the victim's hometown of Quincy, Illinois, and beyond. (Jake Shane/Quincy Herald-Whig via AP, File) Commission weighs whether to discipline Illinois judge who reversed rape conviction President Joe Biden puts on a UAW Local 1268 shirt before speaking to United Auto Workers at the Community Building Complex of Boone County, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, in Belvidere, Ill. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Biden says workers need 'a fair shot' as he celebrates the labor deal saving an Illinois auto plant State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, explains fresh legislation she introduced, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Springfield, Ill, lifting a moratorium on new nuclear reactors in Illinois. Legislation ending the 1987 prohibition won overwhelming approval last spring but Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed it, citing among other things, a need to modernize oversight rules. Rezin's plan calls for rules to be updated by January 2026 while allowing so-called SMRs, or small modular reactors, of no more than 300 megawatts to be installed, although none has been proposed and it could be a decade or more before one is operating. (AP Photo/John O'Connor) Senator proposes plan that lifts nuclear moratorium and requires new oversight rules The House has through Thursday -- the scheduled adjournment of the General Assembly's fall session -- to OK the proposal and send it to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Under the legislation, Illinois would allow development of small modular reactors in January 2026. That's when a report on necessary safety measures and updated guidelines would be due. The plan also tasks the Illinois Emergency Management Agency with oversight of newly installed reactors. Rezin added that layer of inspection, despite her contention that strict federal control is sufficient, to appease a concerned Pritzker. The Democrat cited the issue as one that caused him to side with environmentalists and veto initial legislation Rezin saw approved overwhelmingly last spring. Just over two years ago, Pritzker signed a law requiring the state to use only carbon-free electricity by 2045. That means closing numerous coal-fired power plants and investing heavily in wind and solar energy. It also included a $700 million bailout to keep afloat two unprofitable nuclear plants in the state, validating for Rezin and other supporters that nuclear power must remain part of the picture. "As we move toward a clean energy future and we start taking certain types of energy offline, we have to have something to replace all those megawatts," said Sen. Patrick Joyce, a Reddick Democrat. "As technology changes, we need to make sure that we change with it." [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * The Associated Press + ap.org + Contact Us + Careers + Advertise with us + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. * twitter * instagram * facebook