ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton), the Republican chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee, today led a hearing focused on expanding reliable, clean energy sources in Minnesota.  

In addition to leading the conversation, Mathews presented two bills aimed at lifting Minnesota’s 31-year nuclear moratorium, both designed to bolster the state’s energy grid. One bill proposes lifting the moratorium entirely to allow the construction of all new nuclear power plants, while the other focuses specifically on authorizing the development of small, modular nuclear reactors. 

“Minnesotans need real solutions to energy challenges on the horizon, and we consistently hear from producers and constituents that lifting the nuclear moratorium is what we need,” Mathews said. “To reach the 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 goal set by the Legislature last biennium, it’s critical we take action to authorize innovative solutions to support energy production in our state and ensure every Minnesotan has access to reliable, affordable energy.” 

A broad coalition of supporters joined the hearing to advocate on behalf of lifting the nuclear moratorium, including the newly formed Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance. “Minnesota maintains the strictest nuclear ban in the nation by prohibiting all new nuclear reactor construction. Lifting the moratorium would allow stakeholders to have a productive conversation about how advanced nuclear technology could contribute to the state’s clean energy future,” Jenny Glumack, Government Affairs Director, Minnesota Rural Electric Association-Nuclear Alliance testified in the committee. 

Though each bill has bipartisan authors, they were not advanced out of committee. Senate File 468 failed on a tie vote, with a Democrat co-author voting against it, and Senate File 350 was laid over for future consideration in a larger energy bill.  

“I’m disappointed to see partisanship emerge when there has been considerable work over the last several years to build bipartisan support. Minnesotans deserve access to affordable and reliable energy, and by failing to advance a bill they claim to support, Democrats are making it harder to provide reliable energy that meets their carbon-free energy goals,” Mathews said.