Oregon Lawmakers Approve Nuclear Energy Feasibility Study

Bipartisan bill calls for data-driven analysis of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Oregon House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment unanimously approved a bill to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of nuclear energy, including advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs). The study will evaluate safety standards, economic viability, regulatory considerations, and environmental impacts, and will include a stakeholder engagement process with local and tribal governments.

Why it matters

The debate over nuclear energy's role in Oregon's future energy mix has been politically divisive, with proponents touting it as a clean, reliable solution and critics raising concerns about cost and safety. This bipartisan effort to gather objective data aims to inform policymakers and the public about the potential pros and cons of advanced nuclear technologies as the state charts its path toward a renewable energy future.

The details

House Bill 4046 charges the Oregon Department of Energy with conducting a comprehensive evaluation of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The study will assess safety standards, economic feasibility, regulatory considerations, and environmental effects. It will also include a stakeholder engagement process to gather input from local and tribal governments and organizations.

  • The bill was unanimously approved by the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment on February 18, 2026.
  • The study is due to be completed and presented to the state legislature at a future date.

The players

Bobby Levy

Republican vice-chair of the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, representing the district of Echo.

Mark Gamba

Democratic vice-chair of the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, representing the district of Milwaukie.

Oregon Department of Energy

The state agency that will conduct the comprehensive feasibility study on advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs.

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What they’re saying

“Regardless of where members stand on nuclear energy itself, we agree that sound policy requires sound data. This study ensures Oregon evaluates potential options with facts rather than assumptions.”

— Bobby Levy, Republican vice-chair, House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment (elkhornmediagroup.com)

“SMRs are being put forward as some kind of silver bullet solution. Initial studies have told us they will be far more expensive and take far longer than the proponents have portrayed, and that wind and solar are still the cheapest forms of new energy, but it would be irresponsible not to make sure that is the case.”

— Mark Gamba, Democratic vice-chair, House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment (elkhornmediagroup.com)

What’s next

The bill now advances to the Joint Ways & Means Committee for further consideration before potentially being signed into law.

The takeaway

This bipartisan effort to study the feasibility of advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs, demonstrates Oregon's commitment to making data-driven decisions about the state's energy future, rather than relying on assumptions or political agendas. The findings of this comprehensive study will be closely watched by policymakers and the public as the state navigates the complex trade-offs between clean energy, cost, and safety.