Bipartisan legislation signed into law by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers established the study to help meet Wisconsin’s growing need for carbon-free electricity
During his 2026 State of the State address Feb. 17, 2026, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced a partnership agreement between the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics to undertake a study exploring nuclear energy opportunities in Wisconsin. Paul Wilson, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering and chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics at UW-Madison, will lead the study.
“This partnership reflects the vital role UW-Madison plays in shaping Wisconsin’s energy future,” says Devesh Ranjan, Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering. “By bringing our nuclear engineering expertise together with state and national partners, we can help Wisconsin explore the full range of safe, reliable and innovative energy technologies that strengthen our economy and position the state as a leader in the nation’s rapidly evolving energy innovation ecosystem. The insights generated through this study won’t just benefit Wisconsin—they’ll contribute to U.S. competitiveness and help advance the clean, dependable power systems our nation needs for long term economic growth.”
In July 2025, Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 12 to establish a nuclear power siting study and the 2025-27 Biennial Budget Bill, which included $2 million in funding to support the study. The nuclear power siting study will bolster knowledge and understanding of how Wisconsin’s nuclear energy potential can help meet the state’s growing need for carbon-free energy.
“Wisconsin is at the forefront of nuclear energy innovation due in large part to our important work that’s happening on our UW campuses, including at UW-Madison, and it’s great to see the next step in this important and innovative partnership move forward,” says Evers. “Wisconsinites are ready for bold and urgent solutions to address the climate crisis, and by supporting this work, we’re helping build a strong foundation for a clean energy future.”
Nuclear energy generates safe, reliable carbon-free electricity to power Wisconsin homes and businesses and remains an important part of Wisconsin’s existing energy generation resource mix. According to the PSC’s most recent Strategic Energy Assessment, nuclear energy accounts for 16 percent of the state’s energy generation portfolio.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ 2026 State of State address
Currently, Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers is the only nuclear power plant in operation in Wisconsin. In recent years, advancements in nuclear technology and increased demand for energy have led to renewed interest in nuclear energy nationwide.
The overarching goal of the siting study is to provide foundational information and thorough evaluation of potential nuclear energy development opportunities in Wisconsin to help guide future actions. The study scope encompasses traditional nuclear power, small modular reactors, and advanced technologies including fusion energy. It will identify various siting opportunities, and analyze site characteristics and suitability, regulatory and permitting requirements, and impacts to local economies and the power grid. Information from industry experts at the Oak Ridge and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories will be incorporated into the study, as will feedback from recent experiences with the construction and operation of nuclear projects. Act 12 requires the study be completed by the start of 2027.
“I want to thank Gov. Evers for his clear vision and strong leadership on this issue, and the legislature for their support,” says PSC Chairperson Summer Strand. “Our state is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in nuclear and fusion energy, and I am optimistic the siting study will demonstrate this potential and provide a path to achieving it. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with UW-Madison, whose participation truly embodies the Wisconsin Idea in action. Utilizing the university’s vast nuclear energy expertise and research and tapping into its dynamic stakeholder network will greatly benefit both the study and the state as a whole.”
The PSC signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 5, 2026, with the UW-Madison Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics to begin work on the nuclear siting study. UW-Madison has one of the nation’s few remaining teaching and research nuclear reactors and is a national leader in fusion energy research.
“We have always recognized the importance of pairing our deep expertise in nuclear science and technology with a wide portfolio of partners, both on campus and off, who help us position this technology in a broader societal context,” says Wilson. “It is a great opportunity for us to bring our expertise and these partnerships to bear on important questions for the state of Wisconsin, with a vibrant team of faculty, graduate students and staff from across our campus, along with national lab partners.”
In addition to the nuclear power siting study, in July 2025 Evers also signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 11, creating a Nuclear Power Summit Board designed to help advance nuclear power and fusion technology and development, and to showcase Wisconsin’s leadership and innovation in the nuclear industry through the hosting of a nuclear power summit in the city of Madison.
Additional background information on nuclear energy in Wisconsin is available on the PSC website.