‘Nuclear tariff’ on power bills would pay for utilities to explore small reactors
Louisiana state regulators postponed a vote on a proposed "nuclear tariff" that would add a 20-cent fee to monthly electricity bills from major utility companies. This fee would fund feasibility studies for small modular nuclear reactors. The Public Service Commission plans to vote on the proposal on September 16.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) has postponed a vote on a proposed "nuclear tariff" that would impose a 20-cent monthly fee on electricity bills for customers of Entergy Louisiana, Cleco, and SWEPCO. The tariff, championed by Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, R-Metairie, aims to fund feasibility studies, site assessments, and economic modeling for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and microreactors in Louisiana, which are noted for their potential use in facilities like data centers.
During Wednesday's PSC meeting, Commissioner Davante Lewis, D-Baton Rouge, requested the postponement, arguing that utility companies should cover their own research costs rather than burdening ratepayers. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, supported the delay, seeking more time to investigate alternative funding sources. The commission plans to revisit and vote on the tariff proposal at its next regular meeting scheduled for September 16. The same meeting also included a contentious party-line vote that allowed Meta to maintain secrecy regarding its Hyperion data center project and associated power plant plans by Entergy Louisiana.