An Act to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Seek Informational Bids Regarding Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in the State
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1549
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: PAUL, BABIN, CAMPBELL, DUNPHY, FOSTER, WALKER, HARRINGTON
Amends: 35-A MRSA §123

Legislative Document
No. 1549
H.P. 1001
House of Representatives, April 6, 2023
An Act to Direct the Public Utilities Commission to Seek 
Informational Bids Regarding Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in 
the State
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PAUL of Winterport.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BABIN of Fort Fairfield, CAMPBELL of Orrington, 
DUNPHY of Embden, FOSTER of Dexter, WALKER of Naples, Senator: HARRINGTON of 
York.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §123 is enacted to read:
§123.  Requests for proposals for operation of small modular nuclear reactor
1.  Small modular nuclear reactor or modular reactor defined.  As used in this 
section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "small modular nuclear reactor" or 
"modular reactor" means a nuclear reactor that:
A. Has a rated generating capacity of no more than 350 megawatts;
B.  Is capable of being constructed and operated at a single site on its own or in 
combination with one or more nuclear reactors; and
C.  Is required to be licensed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
2.  Requests for proposals for information.  By October 1st of each year, the 
commission shall issue a request for proposals soliciting informational bids regarding the 
operation in this State of a small modular nuclear reactor.  The informational bids must 
include the costs of establishing a modular reactor in the State, either through manufacture 
on-site or transport into the State, the proposed location of a modular reactor, the time 
needed to establish a modular reactor in the State, the annual operational costs of a modular 
reactor and any other information the commission determines necessary.  The bids are not 
binding on the State or the person submitting the bid but may be used to inform and develop 
a contract for the establishment in the State of a modular reactor. 
3.  Annual report.  Beginning in 2024, by January 15th annually, the commission shall 
submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy 
and utility matters a report regarding the informational bids received by the commission 
pursuant to its requests for proposals made pursuant to subsection 2.  The joint standing 
committee may report out legislation based on the report.
4.  Termination.  This section is repealed January 1, 2034 or when the State accepts a 
bid for the placement of a small modular nuclear reactor, whichever occurs first.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission to annually issue a request for 
informational bids for the establishment in the State of a small modular nuclear reactor, 
which is a nuclear reactor that has a rated generating capacity of no more than 350 
megawatts, is capable of being constructed and operated at a single site on its own or in 
combination with one or more nuclear reactors and is required to be licensed by the United 
States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  The requests are for information only, including 
the timing for establishing a modular reactor and the cost, location and annual operating 
costs of a modular reactor, and are not binding on the State or the person submitting the 
information, but may be used in developing a contract.  The commission is required to 
make an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over energy and utility matters detailing the informational bids received.