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Rezin Says Nuclear Deal "Close"

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris).

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It appears the logjam blocking passage of a bill ending Illinois’ long term ban on nuclear construction is close to being settled.

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) told The Illinoize Monday night multiple groups are finalizing language that would move in the House and Senate this week to narrow the type of modular small nuclear reactors that would be allowed in Illinois.

Governor JB Pritzker vetoed Rezin’s bill rolling back the state moratorium on nuclear construction claiming the language was too broad and would allow large nuclear reactors instead of the small reactors intended in the law.

Rezin says language in the new bill would narrow the types of new nuclear power allowed in Illinois and would set limits for megawatts and would give the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) more oversight on the small reactors.

She says the group is “close” with the Governor’s office and aides to Senate President Don Harmon have been “very helpful.”

“I’m hopeful the bill will be presented and move through the Senate for the House to pick up this week,” Rezin said Monday night.

Patrick Pfingsten

@pfingstenshow

patrick@theillinoize.com