Kentucky Senate panel approves measure that would lift moratorium on nuclear power plants

Kentucky Senate panel passes nuclear power bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawmakers in Kentucky will again consider lifting a moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants in Kentucky.

The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee approved legislation on Wednesday that would reverse a 1984 law barring construction of nuclear plants in Kentucky until a permanent waste storage facilty is in place.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Independent state Sen. Bob Leeper of Paducah has unsuccessfully pushed the legislation for the past three years as a rank-and-file lawmaker. His promotion last year to chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee could improve his chances of getting the bill signed into law.