nuclear power

A US government program that was looking at how nuclear weapons could help with mining, cratering, and other 'civilian' purposes.

Legislation that would help Xcel Energy plan for the high costs of maintaining old nuclear power plants is heading to the Minnesota Senate where it could face some tough opposition.

A move to repeal Minnesota's ban on new nuclear power plants has stalled as a crisis unfolds at a nuclear facility in Japan. The bill's Republican sponsors are blaming the slowdown on Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's demands, not the scramble to avoid a meltdown at a Japanese nuclear plant after a huge earthquake and tsunami.

The push to open Minnesota up to more nuclear power is nearing its final stages at the state Capitol. A House-Senate conference committee planned to meet Friday to continue working on a unified proposal for scrapping a ban on new nuclear plant construction.

The Minnesota House has approved a bill that would remove an obstacle to new nuclear power in the state. Supporters say the bill is an initial step intended to let utilities make a case for a nuclear plant.

St. Cloud State Senator John Pederson was one of the Senators who voted in favor of lifting a ban on new nuclear power plants. Pederson says the vote doesn't mean there will definitely be more nuclear plants built in the state, it just gives the Public Utilities Commission the option.

The Minnesota Senate has approved legislation giving energy regulators authority to issue permits for new nuclear power plants. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch says the bill wouldn't lead to immediate construction of a plant. It would get rid of a 17-year-old moratorium on consideration of nuclear energy facilities.

The Minnesota Senate's top leader is pushing to undo a state ban on new nuclear power plants. Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch presents a bill Tuesday to undo a 17-year-old moratorium on construction of nuclear energy facilities. The hearing is before a Senate energy and utilities panel.

A proposal to clear the way for new nuclear power plants in Minnesota has passed its first committee in the Republican-controlled Legislature. The House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the bill on a 10-6 vote on Tuesday.