Public Act 166 of 2022 directed the Michigan Public Service Commission to engage an outside consulting firm to examine the feasibility of nuclear power generation in Michigan. Public Act 218 of 2022 provides for the parameters of the nuclear feasibility study. In response, on March 24, 2023, the Commission issued an order in Case No. U-21358 establishing the Nuclear Feasibility Study workgroup.
The Nuclear Feasibility Study will consider the following:
- The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy generation in Michigan, including, but not limited to, the economic and environmental impact.
- Ways to maximize the use of workers who reside in Michigan and products made in Michigan in the construction of nuclear energy generation facilities.
- Evaluations, conclusions, and recommendations on all of the following:
- Design characteristics.
- Environmental and ecological impacts.
- Land and siting criteria.
- Safety criteria.
- Engineering and cost-related criteria.
- Small cell nuclear reactor capability.
- Socioeconomic assessment and impact analysis, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Workforce education, training, and development.
- Local and state tax base.
- Supply chains.
- Permanent and temporary job creation.
- The timeline for development, including areas of potential acceleration or efficiencies and leveraging existing nuclear energy generation facilities in Michigan.
- Additional efficiencies and other benefits that may be gained by coordinating with other advanced, clean energy technologies, including, but not limited to, hydrogen, direct air capture of carbon dioxide, and energy storage.
- Literature review of studies that have assessed the potential impact of nuclear energy generation in supporting an energy transition.
- Analysis of national and international studies of cases where development of nuclear energy is supported and adopted.
- Assessment and recommendation of current and future policies that may be needed to support or accelerate the adoption of nuclear energy generation or may improve its cost-effectiveness.
Public Act 218 also directed the Commission to issue a report to the legislature by April 15, 2024. The Commission enlisted the help of Enercon Services East, PC through a competitive solicitation process to facilitate the exploration of nuclear feasibility in Michigan, with opportunities for feedback from interested parties, and to assist in delivery of the study requested in Public Act 166.
Final Report
In accordance with Public Act 218 of 2022, the Commission submitted the Nuclear Feasibility Study Final report to the Governor and Michigan Legislature on March 20, 2024.
Nuclear Feasibility Study Final Report - March 2024
Staff Lead
Julie Ginevan
Questions or communications regarding the study can be sent to LARA-MPSC-NuclearStudy@michigan.gov.
Documents and Resources
Public Act 166 of 2022
Public Act 218 of 2022
Commission Order U-21358
Nuclear Feasibility Study Final Outline
Nuclear Feasibility Study Draft Report
Nuclear Feasibility Study Final Report
Activities
- The Nuclear Feasibility Study draft outline was posted and distributed to interested parties in late April 2023.
- The first meeting with interested parties was held on May 3, 2023. ENERCON reviewed the scope and timeline of the study and addressed questions and comments from interested parties. Comments made during the meeting can be found here.
- ENERCON developed the draft study over the next several months.
- The second meeting with interested parties was held on September 8, 2023. ENERCON provided an update on the progress of the study as well as addressed questions and comments from interested parties. Comments made during the meeting can be found here.
- ENERCON provided a draft report in December 2023 with another opportunity for feedback from interested parties.
- A third meeting with interested parties to review the draft report was held on January 9, 2024. During the meeting, the MPSC offered the opportunity to provide written comment. Those comments are attached below:
- ENERCON, with guidance from the MPSC, finalized the Nuclear Feasibility Study Report and delivered it to the MPSC in February 2024.
- The final report was delivered to the Michigan Legislature on March 20, 2024, before the April 15, 2024 deadline.
Meeting Agendas and Presentations
January 9, 2024
Meeting Event | Meeting Agenda | Draft Report | Presentation | Recording
September 8, 2023
Meeting Event | Meeting Agenda | Presentation | Recording
May 3, 2023
Meeting Event | Meeting Agenda | Draft Report Outline | Recording
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