Nuclear Energy Gains Bipartisan Steam in Wisconsin as 2026 Election Looms

Bipartisan efforts in the Wisconsin Capitol continue to push for the growth of nuclear energy in the state, as lawmakers seek to diversify the state's energy mix and reduce its reliance on out-of-state energy sources. The efforts are fueled by the increasing demand for power from data centers and the potential of nuclear fusion to produce more energy with minimal radioactive waste. Governor Tony Evers has signaled support for expanding nuclear energy, and several lawmakers, including Republican state Rep. Shae Sortwell and Democratic Rep. Francesca Hong, have introduced bills to ease the costs associated with building nuclear power plants and prioritize nuclear energy as an option for meeting Wisconsin's energy demands.

Key Takeaways:

• The Wisconsin Legislature is continuing bipartisan efforts to advance nuclear energy growth in the state, with Governor Tony Evers signing two Republican-led bills into law in July to create a board to organize a nuclear power summit and direct the Public Service Commission to study new and existing locations for nuclear power and fusion generation.
• The Joint Finance Committee has approved $2 million to fund the nuclear power siting study, with a report due to the Legislature in early 2027.
• State Rep. Shae Sortwell has introduced Assembly Bill 472, which aims to ease costs associated with building nuclear power plants through tax credits and allow public utilities to raise consumer rates to recover construction costs.
• The bill would create a tax credit for new nuclear energy generation, which a company could claim over the course of 20 years, and allow public utility companies to recover expenses related to developing nuclear energy sites through their rates.
• Tom Content, the executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, has expressed concerns that customers would see expenses related to developing nuclear energy sites in their bills before the plants are even built.
• The bill would also ease the regulatory process for private power producers that may seek to generate nuclear energy for "very large customers," such as data centers.

Statistics:

• $2 million: The amount approved by the Joint Finance Committee to fund the nuclear power siting study.
• 20 years: The duration of the tax credit for new nuclear energy generation that companies could claim under Assembly Bill 472.
• 2027: The year in which the Public Service Commission is expected to submit its report on the nuclear power siting study to the Legislature.
• 2050 and 2053: The extended license periods for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers, Wisconsin's lone nuclear power plant.

Sources:

• [Wisconsin Watch, "Nuclear Energy Gains Bipartisan Steam in Wisconsin as 2026 Election Looms"](https://wisconsinwatch.org/2025/10/wisconsin-nuclear-energy-bill-legislation-bipartisan-republican-democrat-election/)
• [Wisconsin State Legislature, Assembly Bill 472](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab472)
• [Wisconsin State Legislature, Joint Finance Committee approval of $2 million for nuclear power siting study](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/jfc/committee/diversify-energy/2025-04-10)
• [U.S. Department of Energy, information on nuclear fusion](https://www.energy.gov/science/energy-and-food/nuclear-fusion)
• [Point Beach Nuclear Plant, license extension information](https://www.pbeplant.com/about-us/press-room/news-releases-and-updates/point-beach-license-extended-through-2050-and-2053)