Local legislator’s nuclear reactor bill becomes law

A bill written by an area state senator to encourage the development of small nuclear reactors in Indiana has been signed into law.

A ceremonial bill signing was held recently for the bill authored by Sen. Eric Koch, a Bedford Repbulican whose district includes Jackson and Brown counties.

Small, modular, nuclear reactors are several years away but Koch’s office says that they have the potential to provide clean, safe nuclear energy. They say the law “creates a pilot program that allows one or more utilities, or other eligible partners, to work together developing a small modular reactor in Indiana.” Those partners could be a university, military installation, utility or others.

Koch said the pilot program “will help address Hoosier energy needs and affordability as our state continues to grow.”

Among his duties, Koch serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities and ranking member of the Senate committee on Commerce and Technology.

Photo courtesy of office of State Sen. Eric Koch