Connecticut lawmaker aims to ensure Millstone nuclear power plant stays open

Connecticut lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation in the current session that would allow the owner of the Millstone nuclear power plant in Waterford to compete for state power procurement contracts.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, co-chairwoman of the state legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, said the legislation is needed to ensure that Dominion, the Virginia-based owner of Millstone, doesn’t decide to close the power plant. Reed said Dominion officials haven’t threatened to close Millstone, but trends in the nuclear power industry merit consideration of legislation that could help out the company.

“We’re seeing nuclear plants close in a number of locations,” she said, referring specifically to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in eastern Massachusetts and New York State’s Indian Point. “We can’t afford to lose the baseload electric generation that Millstone provides us with.”

Lawmakers tried to pass similar legislation during the 2016 legislation session. The measure was approved by the state Senate, but failed to come up for a vote in the House of Representatives.

Read more: http://www.nhregister.com/business/20170117/connecticut-lawmaker-aims-to-ensure-millstone-stays-open