In response to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) has introduced and passed legislation that will improve State oversight at Illinois’ six active nuclear power plants.

“The tsunami that struck Japan earlier this year was a terrible tragedy,” said Koehler, Vice-Chair of the Senate Energy Committee. “But, the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant was in many ways worse because it’s possible that it could have been prevented. Illinois has six nuclear power plants with eleven nuclear reactors. We have to
make sure we are ready if a catastrophic natural disaster strikes our state.”

Though land-locked Illinois is safe from tsunamis, the state lies near a major fault line and is under constant threat of tornadoes. Though it has been inactive for many years, the New Madrid Fault -so named because it lies near the Missouri community of New Madrid – was the site of one of the worst earthquakes in American history. Fortunately, all of Illinois’ nuclear plants are in the northern part of the state and are unlikely to be near the epicenter of a New Madrid quake.

“In order to protect the citizens of this state, we need to make sure that our nuclear facilities can withstand natural disasters,” Koehler said. “Their defenses and backup systems need to be in good repair and use the best technology available. It’s the State of Illinois’ job to make sure the plants’ owners are up to standard.”

To enable the State to inspect nuclear plants and protect Illinois residents, the owners of each plant pay a fee to cover the cost of inspections. That fee has not increased since 2003. Because the fee has not kept pace with inflation and the State is facing budget reductions in almost every area, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is concerned that it does not have the resources it needs to oversee nuclear safety. House Bill 1723 increases the fee and should result in an additional $8 million for IEMA. Exelon, which owns all of the plants (directly or indirectly), has agreed to the bill because it understands the importance of nuclear safety.

“I want to thank Exelon for working with the State on this important issue,” Koehler said. “We need to be sure everyone who lives near one of these nuclear facilities is as safe as possible in the event of an earthquake, strong tornado, or other disaster.”

HB 1723 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now goes to the governor, who has expressed his support for the bill.