Bill
SB 1874
SB 1874 lets Illinois permit advanced nuclear reactors from Jan 1, 2026 via CPCN, replacing the 300 MW limit, with ICC review to protect ratepayers and ensure cost efficiency.
Status and Sponsors
- Bill number: SB 1874 (220 ILCS 5/8-406)
- Introduced by: Sen. Patrick J. Joyce (filed 02/06/2025)
- Chief co-sponsor: Sen. Mark L. Walker; co-sponsors include Sen. Michael W. Halpin and Sen. Sue Rezin
- Key procedural status: Passed the Senate (readings and recorded votes 04/16/2025); transmitted to the House and referred to committees (Public Education; Education K‑16). Effective operative date for the primary change: January 1, 2026 (see description below).
Purpose / Intent
- Update Illinois’ Public Utilities Act certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity (CPCN) rules to expressly permit the construction of "advanced nuclear reactors" beginning January 1, 2026, under specified regulatory conditions, replacing the prior textual reference to a "new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts or less."
Key provisions and changes
- Amends Section 8-406 of the Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/8-406):
- Replaces the prior limitation that referenced construction of a "new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts of electricity or less" with a provision that, beginning January 1, 2026, construction may commence on an "advanced nuclear reactor" in Illinois subject to the CPCN process.
- Adds a statutory definition for "advanced nuclear reactor" (the introduced text indicates a definition is included; full statutory wording not contained in the excerpt).
- Retains and applies the existing CPCN criteria: the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) must find after hearing that the proposed construction will promote public convenience and necessity, is needed to provide adequate, reliable and efficient service, is the least‑cost means of satisfying service needs (or otherwise meets statutory exceptions), and that the utility or applicant can manage, supervise, and finance the project without undue adverse consequences to customers.
- Other amendments in the same section (b-5 and related paragraphs) concerning qualifying high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission projects and qualifying DC applicants are present in the bill text; those provisions spell out application, meeting, and finding requirements for cross-border HVDC projects that interact with Illinois transmission areas.
Who is affected
- Nuclear developers and owners proposing advanced reactors in Illinois (they would be eligible to seek a CPCN under the revised provision).
- Public utilities and applicants that must secure CPCNs from the Illinois Commerce Commission.
- The Illinois Commerce Commission (more explicitly tasked with applying CPCN criteria to advanced nuclear projects).
- Ratepayers and electric customers (financial/utility impacts hinge on CPCN findings about least-cost service and financing consequences).
- Transmission project developers (the bill also modifies provisions for qualifying HVDC interstate projects).
Potential impacts and implications
- Facilitates a regulatory pathway for deployment of advanced nuclear technologies in Illinois starting 1/1/2026, subject to ICC review and approval.
- May broaden the scope of nuclear projects that can be proposed compared to the former 300 MW small-reactor text (depending on the statutory definition of "advanced nuclear reactor").
- Preserves ICC authority to assess need, cost‑effectiveness, construction oversight, and financing impacts prior to approving construction.
- Interacts with concurrent statutory language governing interstate HVDC transmission projects, potentially affecting large transmission builds that tie into the grid.
Notes and caveats
- The bill text indicates a new or clarified statutory definition for "advanced nuclear reactor" but the full definition clause was not included in the excerpt reviewed here — the exact technical and size characteristics of that definition will determine how broadly the change applies.
- Final impacts depend on subsequent rulemaking, ICC implementation, and any further amendments as the bill proceeds through the House or receives enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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