As coal fades, Montana lawmaker looks to nuclear power

In a House committee in late February, a legislator passed a tiny cylindrical object around the room, saying it is the key to Montana’s future energy security.

The cylinder was a model for one nuclear pellet, which Rep. Gary Parry, R-Colstrip, says is equivalent of 157 gallons of regular gasoline. According to Parry, nuclear energy is the way forward for Montana as the coal energy industry wanes.

“What we need to do is make sure that for Montanans we have a reliable, dependable base load,” Parry said in an interview, “that when it’s 50 below zero we know is going to provide the electricity we need.”

Parry has proposed bills, House Bill 623 and House Bill 696, both aimed at opening the door for the nuclear energy industry in Montana. HB 623 would allow for the creation of facilities to handle nuclear waste, while HB 696 would allow the building of a uranium enrichment facility.

Both bills passed the House earlier this month and are scheduled for hearings in the Senate on March 27.

Emma White