By Stu Johnson
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – A state Senate committee has opened the door for a nuclear power plant to be built in Kentucky.
A moratorium on permitting for a new nuclear power facility in the Commonwealth has been in place for decades. A legislative proposal previously approved by the full senate would remove the requirement for an in-place final storage facility for nuclear waste.
Paducah Senator Bob Leeper says the change would put Kentucky on equal footing with some 40 other states.
"As the legislature continues to address the national debate on energy, capacity, consumption, and independence, I believe we must recognize the value of nuclear power and the importance of allowing nuclear power to be a part of the energy mix in our state."
Tom Fitzgerald with the Kentucky Resources Council spoke against the bill. He worries about long term environmental problems.
"There's currently no waste disposal strategy for permanent waste disposal since the Obama administration is backing away from Yucca Mountain which had been the proposal."
Fitzgerald says there have been contamination incidents at both commercial and military power plants.