BISMARCK – North Dakota should explore the potential to expand its energy industry by adding nuclear power, according to a Minot legislator and Xcel Energy officials.

“I just think, as a state, we need to look out beyond the next two year budget cycle and decide whether nuclear energy is part of our commitment to doing ‘all of the above,'” Sen. David Hogue, R-Minot, told the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday.

He testified in support of House Bill 1025, which seeks up to $500,000 to hire a consultant to assist a new interim committee, which would be created to study advanced nuclear energy.

The bill came out of the interim Energy Development and Transmission Committee, whose assignments had included studying the potential for nuclear development in the state. Hogue said the committee determined the issue was too complex and proposed a more detailed look by a dedicated interim committee of energy industry representatives, legislators and members appointed by the Public Service Commission and Industrial Commission. A Department of Water Resources employee also would sit on the committee in the current version of the bill.

Hogue said it is important to lay the groundwork now for potential projects that take years to develop, garner investment, permit and construct.

“It’s just a daunting process. So, I think the sooner we get started in investigating this, I think the better off the state of North Dakota will be,” he said.

“We’re interested in being part of the educational path forward should you choose to adopt this more comprehensive view,” Tony Grindberg, state director for Xcel Energy, testified on behalf of the bill. “With our competency and our talent within our organization, we would be welcomed to have our varied people at the table for the next set of study, if that’s a direction you choose to go. And we would also strongly consider being part of the financial participation that the bill requires.”

The bill states the Legislative Council would see matching funds from the private sector.

Pam Gorman, manager for Xcel’s Nuclear Fleet Operations, spoke about Xcel’s dual unit nuclear plant operated at Prairie Island and the single reactor at Monticello, both in Minnesota.

“These two sites, three units, produce more than half of the existing carbon-free generation in our Upper Midwest and a third of the total generation. So those three plants are providing a lot of reliable, dispatchable energy for our portfolio,” she said. She added the units provide about 1,700 megawatts of electricity and contribute about $1 billion to the local economy.

Nationwide, 94 operating reactors at 53 plants account for almost 20% of the U.S. electricity production, she said.

Advanced nuclear offers different technologies, and two companies have demonstration projects in development that will be important to the industry taking off again, she added.

“Advanced nuclear is getting substantial national support and interest, I would say, and all utilities are similar to us in that, I think, we’re trying to understand the technology and the risk profile for our customers and our rate payers before we dive in too deep,” Gorman said.

Gorman noted a site’s geography, water sources and other physical factors weigh heavily in siting a nuclear plant. However, she also listed community acceptance as a strong factor when it comes to developing the industry.

“I don’t think that’s difficult, but I think it’s important that the community really steps up and really leads the way,” she said. “You don’t just go into a community and build a nuclear plant without having that community really drive the need for it.”

The committee passed the bill and referred it to the House Appropriations Committee.