Bill
SB 1538
The bill adds small modular reactors (SMRs) to the Renewable Energy Production District Act’s definition of renewable energy facilities, enabling SMRs to be included in district pr
Bill number: SB 1538
Primary sponsor: Sen. Mark L. Walker (co-sponsor: Sen. Terri Bryant)
Subject: Amends the Renewable Energy Production District Act to include small modular reactors (SMRs) in the definition of “renewable energy facility”
Introduced: Feb 4, 2025 (Illinois); Effective date: upon becoming law (bill provides immediate effect)
Note: the supplied document also contains text from an unrelated Arizona bill with the same number about power‑plant siting definitions. This summary focuses on the Illinois SB 1538 titled “Renewable Energy — Small Reactor,” which defines and adds SMRs to the Renewable Energy Production District Act.
What the bill does (purpose and intent)
- Expands the statutory definition of “renewable energy facility” under the Renewable Energy Production District Act to explicitly include small modular reactors (SMRs).
- Provides a statutory definition of “small modular reactor.”
Key provisions
- Amends Section 5 of the Renewable Energy Production District Act (70 ILCS 1950/5):
- “Renewable energy facility” — the existing list of eligible generators (e.g., landfill methane, solar, wind, anaerobic digestion, certain fuel cells/microturbines, hydroelectric) is broadened to include SMRs.
- “Small modular reactor” — defined as an advanced nuclear reactor with a rated nameplate electrical capacity of 300 megawatts or less; may be constructed and operated in combination with similar reactors at a single site.
- Effective date: the act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Who or what would be affected
- Renewable energy production special districts (the “districts” and their boards) — SMRs would be eligible to be treated as renewable energy facilities under the Act for purposes established by that statute.
- Developers and operators of SMRs — could become eligible for district-related planning, land use, financing or program mechanisms authorized for renewable facilities under the Act.
- Local governments and communities that form or interact with renewable energy production districts.
- Utilities and the energy market in Illinois — potential to expand options for generation projects pursued through or in coordination with special districts.
Practical and regulatory considerations
- The bill is primarily definitional and affects state statutory classification; it does not change federal nuclear regulation or Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing requirements.
- Inclusion of SMRs may enable their consideration within local district programs, incentives, or financing mechanisms created under the Renewable Energy Production District Act — specific impacts depend on how districts and other state/local programs implement the changed definition.
- Fiscal, safety, environmental review, and permitting implications would follow existing state and federal processes applicable to nuclear facilities and to the Renewable Energy Production District Act.
Status (from supplied document)
- Introduced and advanced through typical legislative steps; the bill text shows an immediate‑effect clause. (For final enactment status, check the official state legislative records.)
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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