Wisconsin considering nuclear energy expansion due to data center demand

Wisconsin lawmakers are currently considering a pair of bills aiming to advance nuclear energy initiatives within the state

These two pieces of legislation were discussed Wednesday during a public hearing before the Wisconsin State Assembly's Committee on Jobs and Economy

But I think the nuclear renaissance is upon us and I think it's here now and we better be ready for it

The first bill directs the state's public service commission to conduct a study assessing possible sites for new nuclear reactors across Wisconsin

This study would be due within 12 months of the legislation's potential passage

and it will take into consideration a recent Energy Department report, which identified two former coal plant sites as possible locations for future reactors

Meanwhile, the second bill proposes hosting a one-time nuclear power summit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's new engineering building

to be held once the facility is completed. Nuclear power is always available and will be a critical part of our infrastructure

and these bills are a small step forward in recognizing that reality Also mentioned during the hearing was the prospect of nuclear fusion

a technology which is still being developed but offers the possibility of limitless energy

Several startups in Wisconsin are pursuing the creation of fusion reactors. As a professor at UW-Madison noted during the hearing

the state's existing manufacturing and supply chain industries are possible advantages in building and supporting fusion energy technology

These nuclear-related bills are being proposed as Wisconsin faces an uptick in electricity demand

from the state's energy-intensive artificial intelligence-supporting data centers. The state of Wisconsin imports six times more energy than it produces

and with the prospect of data centers coming to Wisconsin, the need for power generation only is going to increase

Both bills are still awaiting a vote by the committee before they can potentially move on through the legislative process

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey