CARROLL’S LATEST MEASURE TO CHAMPION KENTUCKY NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION WINS HOUSE APPROVAL
Senate Bill 57 to head to the governor for consideration
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Mar. 26, 2026) — Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, sponsor of Senate Bill (SB) 57, has obtained approval from both the Senate and House of Representatives, and the latest measure to further Kentucky’s nuclear development ambitions will soon be delivered to the governor for consideration.
This legislation establishes the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. Carroll’s proposal seeks to accomplish many things, including state-backed funding for nuclear projects by assisting with federal permits—investing up to $25 million per approved project but ensuring taxpayer protection through surety bonds and milestone-based repayment. SB 57 would require communities to be “nuclear-ready” and final authorization for a project would remain with the Kentucky General Assembly.
The Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program organizes applications for permits and operating licenses, while also forming partnerships between the state, utilities and private-sector partners.
“Other states like Texas and Tennessee have already made significant investments in nuclear development, so Kentucky must stay competitive amid nationwide growth of advanced reactors,” Carroll said. “With no negative effect on taxpayers, this bill will allow our commonwealth to initiate nuclear generation, and we are positioned to bring tens of billions of dollars to our state if we make the investments we need to make today.”
Carroll says the pilot program would also create long-lasting economic opportunities in numerous regions across the state. He continues to advocate for funding support in the biennial budget, which is currently in free conference committee. The latest proposed budget provides access to necessary government expenditure funding of up to $25 million per project to support the siting and development of nuclear energy projects.
The bill ties early cost recovery to large industrial users rather than households, shielding residential consumers from bearing the burden of development.
SB 57 was carried in the House by Rep. Randy Bridges, R-Paducah, who serves as a member of the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority alongside Carroll.
In presenting the bill, Bridges emphasised that Kentucky's competition, and its future, is in nuclear energy. He said the mission is to make Kentucky competitive for nuclear projects and the major industrial investments reshaping the national economy.
Find a full timeline and history of Carroll’s efforts to champion nuclear energy development in the commonwealth, along with the previous release from the Senate Majority Caucus detailing the original version of SB 57, by clicking here.