HB3466 Summary

• Deletes the prohibition on construction of new nuclear power plants in Illinois that required federal approval of high-level nuclear waste disposal technology or specific legislative authorization before any new plant could be built.

• Removes language from the Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/8-406) that had blocked the Illinois Commerce Commission from issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity for new nuclear power plant construction since 1987.

• Establishes provisions for "qualifying direct current applicants" to obtain certificates for high-voltage direct current transmission projects crossing state lines, with expedited approval for projects with 1,000+ megawatt capacity at 345+ kilovolt voltage levels.

• Requires utilities seeking to construct high-voltage transmission lines to hold at least 2 public meetings in each affected county and provide written notice to county clerks before filing applications with the Commission.

• Takes effect immediately upon enactment.