February 5, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Bradley, Feyen, Jacque, James, Nass, Quinn, Ratcliff and Tomczyk, cosponsored by Representatives Steffen, Sortwell, Armstrong, Brill, Callahan, Dittrich, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, Knodl, Maxey, Melotik, Moore Omokunde, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neylon, O'Connor, Penterman, Rodriguez, Snyder, Spiros, Stubbs, Subeck, Tusler and VanderMeer. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR7,1,8
1Relating to: recognizing that the Wisconsin State Legislature supports nuclear
2power and fusion energy as clean energy sources that are critical to safely
3meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and declaring the legislature’s
4commitment to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power and nuclear
5technologies, the development of nuclear technologies and fusion energy, and
6employing the leadership and resources necessary to support the development
7of and investment in nuclear power, fusion energy, and related technologies in
8the state. SJR7,1,109Whereas, safe, reliable, and affordable electricity is critical to the operation of 10the state of Wisconsin and the day-to-day functions of every Wisconsinite; and SJR7,1,1211Whereas, supporting a diverse energy portfolio is key to meeting Wisconsin’s 12growing energy demands as well as achieving reduced carbon emission goals; and SJR7,2,213Whereas, nuclear energy, fusion energy, and developing related innovations 14are key to expanding Wisconsin’s clean energy production; creating high-paying,
1sustainable jobs; and preserving Wisconsin as a highly desirable location for 2economic development and investment; and SJR7,2,63Whereas, nuclear and fusion technologies developed in Wisconsin have served 4to strengthen national security and demonstrated the ability to produce life-saving 5nuclear medicine capable of diagnoses and treatment of heart disease, cancer, and 6other serious illnesses; and SJR7,2,107Whereas, new nuclear energy technologies such as nuclear fusion provide 8prospects for economic growth and worldwide technology leadership that the state 9may leverage and support, and such technologies also promote traditional areas of 10strength such as manufacturing, advanced data, and control; and SJR7,2,1211Whereas, nuclear power and fusion energy are critical parts of our country’s 12economic and national security goals of energy independence; and SJR7,2,1513Whereas, there are currently 94 nuclear reactors across the United States, 14operating in 28 states and accounting for 45.5 percent of the country’s carbon-free 15electricity generation; and SJR7,2,1716Whereas, Wisconsin repealed its nuclear moratorium in 2016 and currently 17operates two reactors at Point Beach Nuclear Plant; and SJR7,2,1918Whereas, 1.2 million homes are powered by nuclear energy in Wisconsin and 19650 high-paying jobs are created by Wisconsin’s nuclear power plant; and SJR7,2,2220Whereas, nuclear energy has allowed Wisconsin to avoid 6.4 million metric 21tons of carbon emissions and accounts for 66.6 percent of the state’s carbon-free 22electricity production; and SJR7,3,223Whereas, Wisconsin boasts world class academic institutions capable of
1providing the innovative nuclear and fusion workforce necessary to advance 2technology here in the state; and SJR7,3,63Whereas, numerous studies and surveys demonstrate that the majority of 4Americans support nuclear energy and that support is continuing to grow for 5reasons such as: concerns over energy independence and the environment as well as 6promising technological advances in the nuclear industry; and SJR7,3,107Whereas, today’s growing energy demands coupled with the revolutionary 8advancements in nuclear power and fusion energy technology have created an 9environment where Wisconsin must be poised to facilitate nuclear power and fusion 10energy development and expansion; now, therefore, be it SJR7,3,1411Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin 12State Legislature supports nuclear power and fusion energy as clean energy 13sources that are critical to safely meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands; 14and be it further SJR7,3,1915Resolved, That the State of Wisconsin declares its commitment to the 16continuation and expansion of nuclear power, fusion energy, and nuclear 17technologies and shall employ the leadership and resources necessary to support 18the development and investment of nuclear power, fusion energy, and related 19technologies within the state.
