Boston (Platts)--13Mar2009

The Oklahoma House of Representatives, in a 60-19 vote, passed a bill
aimed at supporting the development of what would be the first nuclear plant
in the state.

The bill (HB 1750), which now goes to the Oklahoma Senate, would
establish a procedure for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to review
utility proposals to build nuclear capacity. It also would direct the OCC to
develop rules permitting utilities that plan a nuclear project to start
recovering their costs as the plant was being planned, designed and built.

Tom Walls, the state Senate's chief of staff, said that the Senate on
March 10 approved a similar measure (SB 831) in a 36-9 vote, which suggests
strong support for nuclear power in both chambers.

"This probably will go to conference where [House and Senate supporters
of the bill] will hammer out any differences," said Walls. Then the bill would
go to the governor.

Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Chris Benge, a Republican, has
been pressing legislators to encourage the development of nuclear power plants
in the state as part of a larger effort to increase the state's energy
independence and diversity.

The state's two large investor-owned utilities--Oklahoma Gas & Electric
and Public Service Co. of Oklahoma--have said they are open to the possibility
of developing what would be the state's first nuclear plant, but that such a
project is likely years off, even with the incentives that key state lawmakers
are discussing.