Indiana Michigan Power recently announced plans for a nuclear power plant in Spencer County, Indiana. They seek to build the state’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) near Rockport. Although this project is 10-15 years from completion, it should excite all Hoosiers. 

Developing local nuclear power will create jobs, provide the state with a reliable source of clean energy, and lower costs for families and businesses. Additionally, this project will allow Indiana to position itself as a leader in pioneering innovative solutions to meet our energy needs with a smaller environmental footprint. 

The development of SMRs represents an exciting leap forward in nuclear technology. SMRs vary in size and can produce anywhere from several dozen to several hundred megawatts, compared to traditional nuclear reactors with a typical generating capacity of 700-1000 megawatts. However, because SMRs are significantly smaller than conventional plants, they can be built in areas that would not be suitable for large reactors. The smaller size makes them an attractive option for small towns and rural areas. Many of these communities do not have the demand to justify a traditional plant but could still benefit from a local, sustainable source of clean energy. Additionally, due to their smaller footprint, SMRs have an even lower risk of catastrophic meltdown than conventional reactors. 

There are currently no commercial SMRs online in the United States. Russia and China, however, have both launched operational plants this decade and have several others under construction. America has long been a leader in energy innovation and continued investment in SMR technology is key to maintaining that advantage. Recently, there have been several encouraging developments on that front. For example, Amazon invested $500 in X Energy to support, among other projects, a 320-megawatt reactor in central Washington. These projects make both economic and environmental sense. Embracing nuclear power would allow us to drastically reduce pollution and carbon emissions without weakening our economy. 

Although this announcement is welcome news, the plant is still years away from construction. According to their website, Indiana Michigan Power does not expect to break ground until 2029. Instead, they will spend the next four years acquiring permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Unfortunately, this is the stage at which many clean energy projects die. Along with nuclear projects undergoing a rigorous review process, the excessive red tape of federal permitting makes building the energy solutions our communities need slower and more expensive. 

Fortunately, there are ways for lawmakers to expedite this process without sacrificing safety. The ADVANCE Act made progress by eliminating fees for early site permits, which unnecessarily raised the barrier of entry for new projects, but we must continue to streamline burdensome permitting processes. For example, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) allows agencies to grant streamlined processing for projects whose environmental impact does not require a comprehensive environmental review. Given the low greenhouse gas emissions required during production, nuclear plants make great candidates for this exception, which would speed up the permitting process without compromising safety. In recent comments to the National Association of Manufacturers, Interior Secretary Doug Bergum said that the National Energy Council would make streamlining permitting a high priority, which could result in increased investment in needed projects like this one. 

Indiana Governor Mike Braun rightly celebrated this news, indicating his intention to cooperate with Indiana Michigan Power in making this project successful. Welcoming innovative technologies and energy abundance is exactly what the millions of Hoosiers who supported his election hoped he would do. With rising energy prices and environmental ambitions, voters are growing impatient with ideological rhetoric and eager for practical solutions that protect the environment without sacrificing our economy. It is encouraging to see Indiana take the lead on nuclear power, which has the potential to provide abundant clean energy while boosting our state’s economy. 

Josh Frey is a professional fundraiser and a volunteer with the American Conservation Coalition, a national organization dedicated to building the conservative environmental movement. He lives with his wife in northeast Indiana. 

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.