WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, and U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT-At-Large) introduced the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025, bicameral legislation that aims to give states a more meaningful role in the development and approval of reactor shutdown plans and post-shutdown license transfers. The legislation will also provide new support for Community Advisory Boards and economic development in host communities throughout the decommissioning process. 

“Vermonters know first-hand that decommissioning a nuclear power plant has enormous economic and environmental impacts on neighboring communities. That’s why it is absolutely essential that state and local leaders have a seat at the table throughout the decommissioning process,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense, bicameral legislation will ensure that the decommissioning process is transparent, inclusive, and collaborative.” 

“For too long, working class communities across the country have been forced to deal with the safety and economic consequences of nuclear power plant while having virtually no say in the plans, which the people of Vernon understand all too well,” said Senator Sanders. “That is unacceptable. These communities deserve economic relief and a meaningful role in the decommissioning process. The Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 would make sure communities like Vernon are actually part of the decision making and receive the federal support they need to deal with the very real impacts of these closures.” 

Read the full article from Senator Welch