Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4046: Relating to nuclear energy; declaring an emergency.
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
Digest: Tells ODOE to study nuclear energy and make a report on its findings. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4). Directs the State Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. Directs the department to engage with tribal governments, consult with certain [ state agencies and ] organizations and utilize moneys from federal, private and other public sources to carry out the study. Requires the department to report and make public information on the sources of moneys or assistance and amounts of moneys that the department receives to carry out this Act, anticipated uses of those moneys or assistance and any potential conflicts of interest. Directs the department to submit the report to the interim committees or committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy not later than one year after the date the department receives the moneys or assistance necessary to complete the study. Directs the department to provide an update on the department's progress in carrying out this Act to the interim committees or committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy not later than February 15, 2027. Establishes the Nuclear Energy Study Fund. Sunsets January 2, [ 2028 ] 2030 . Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 17, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL 4046 By COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT February On page 1 of the printed bill, delete lines 4 through 24 and delete pages 2 and 3 and insert: "SECTION 1. (1) Subject to the availability of funding as described under subsection (4) of this section, the State Department of Energy shall conduct a study and make a report that addresses the following subjects as related to nuclear energy: "(a) A description of advanced nuclear reactor technology that includes a discussion of: "(A) The different types of advanced nuclear reactors, including but not limited to water-cooled, gas-cooled and salt-cooled; "(B) The different sizes of advanced nuclear reactors, including but not limited to large, small and micro reactors; and "(C) Terminology that is recommended for referencing advanced nuclear reactors and different types and sizes of advanced nuclear reactors in statute or regulation; "(b) The feasibility of constructing advanced nuclear reactors in Oregon, including: "(A) Timing necessary for developing advanced nuclear reactor projects, based on available information related to completed, canceled, ongoing and proposed projects; "(B) A comparison of the levelized cost of energy for advanced nuclear reactors and other generation sources, using publicly available data and established methodologies, with clear documentation of assumptions and data limitations when proprietary information is …