Pritzker vetos bill that would lift nuclear moratorium

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday vetoed a bill that would have enabled the construction of new nuclear reactors in Illinois for the first time in more than three decades.

The measure would have paved the way for what advocates deemed a necessary move to combat climate change. Opponents, however, regarded it as dangerous and expensive.

“The bill is vetoed because the vague definitions in the bill, including the overly broad definition of advanced reactors, will open the door to the proliferation of large-scale nuclear reactors that are so costly to build that they will cause exorbitant ratepayer-funded bailouts,” Pritzker’s office said. “Additionally, it provides no regulatory protections or updates to address the health and safety of Illinois residents who would live and work around these new reactors.”

The legislation’s Senate sponsor, Morris Republican Sue Rezin, said she has already filed paperwork to bring the bill up in the…