Tri-City Sun

State Representative Matthew Bierlein of Vassar has supported a series of bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening Michigan’s position in the energy sector. The legislative package, House Bills 4124-29, seeks to provide tax credits for research, development, and use of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The bills also propose grant programs to encourage advancements in both nuclear and hydrogen research within the state.

Bierlein highlighted Michigan’s manufacturing background as a key factor in supporting these initiatives. “Our state has long had significant manufacturing prowess, and these bills would create jobs and opportunity in the energy sector,” Bierlein said. “As this evolving technology continues to come online, job providers are going to be looking to states that have the proper foundation in place – with operational know-how, a workforce and adequate facilities – to accommodate production. Through these bills, we can assemble that foundation.”

SMRs are designed to be smaller and less costly than traditional nuclear power plants. They offer potential benefits such as replacing retired coal plants with clean electricity generation while using advanced safety systems that require less water for cooling and produce less waste compared to larger reactors.

One challenge facing nuclear energy projects is the high cost associated with building new plants. These expenses include large initial investments, finding suitable locations, and assembling a skilled workforce capable of constructing specialized components. According to supporters of the legislation, the proposed measures aim to address these challenges by providing financial incentives and resources needed for such developments.

Bierlein believes that as SMR technology approaches broader commercial use, these policies could lead to new jobs in manufacturing, construction, and engineering fields while attracting significant investment into Michigan.

The package now moves forward for consideration by the Senate.