Bill establishing reactor site readiness pilot program now heads to governor’s desk
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky General Assembly has given final approval to legislation aimed at positioning the commonwealth as a competitive player in the growing national nuclear energy market, with the bill now awaiting the governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 57, sponsored by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, establishes the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program — a framework designed to streamline federal permitting, attract private investment, and lay the groundwork for nuclear power generation in Kentucky.
The program would allow the state to invest up to $25 million per approved project to assist developers in securing federal permits and operating licenses. Taxpayer protections are built into the measure through surety bonds and milestone-based repayment requirements. Final authorization for any project would remain with the Kentucky General Assembly.
Carroll argued that Kentucky risks falling behind if it doesn’t act now. “Other states like Texas and Tennessee have already made significant investments in nuclear development,” he said, “so Kentucky must stay competitive amid nationwide growth of advanced reactors.”
He added that the bill carries no negative effect on taxpayers and could bring tens of billions of dollars into the state if the necessary investments are made. To further shield consumers, the bill ties early cost recovery to large industrial users rather than households, keeping residential ratepayers from bearing development costs.
The legislation also envisions public-private partnerships between the state, utilities, and private-sector partners, while Carroll says the pilot program would generate lasting economic opportunities across multiple regions of the state.
Carroll is continuing to push for additional funding support in the biennial budget, currently in free conference committee. The latest proposed budget includes access to up to $25 million per project to support nuclear siting and development.
The bill was carried in the House by Rep. Randy Bridges, R-Paducah, who serves alongside Carroll on the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Bridges framed the issue in stark competitive terms, saying Kentucky’s future economic standing depends on its ability to attract nuclear projects and the major industrial investments that come with them.
