Legislation moves nuclear forward in Wisconsin

On July 2, 2025, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed two bills that can help advance the state’s nuclear energy landscape and in the process, tap the depth and breadth of nuclear expertise at UW-Madison.

The college is proud to play a crucial role in research, education and technology transfer that can grow the state’s nuclear presence. Our Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics has one of the nation’s few remaining teaching and research reactors, while its educational program is ranked No. 2 among all U.S. public universities. It also has a track record of spinning companies out of its research; among them are SHINE Technologies, Realta Fusion and Type One Energy.

One bill requires a study of nuclear energy opportunities and potential nuclear power and fusion sites in Wisconsin. It also would create a nuclear power summit board, which will host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit in Madison, to help advance nuclear power and fusion technology and development and showcase Wisconsin’s leadership in the nuclear industry.

The second bill requires the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to conduct a nuclear power siting study to meet the state’s growing need for carbon-free energy. In addition to identifying sites to develop and demonstrate nuclear power and nuclear fusion, it calls for evaluating existing nuclear energy opportunities as part of the state’s energy portfolio identifying sites for the development and demonstration of nuclear power and fusion.

Some Wisconsin-based utilities also are exploring the possibility of building small module nuclear fission reactors to power the future.

Both were supported by the Wisconsin Technology Council. In a news release, its president, Tom Still, noted Wisconsin’s long history of nuclear fission research and development as well as nuclear fusion research and applications. “These bill signings are the latest example of leveraging Wisconsin expertise at the education, research and application levels to help people statewide and beyond,” Still said.