Bill to Enhance Nuclear Plant Inspections Passes House

June 15, 2026

HARRISBURG – A bill to enhance nuclear plant inspections passed the House of Representatives today on a 199-3 vote, according to the measure’s sponsors, Reps. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) and Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia).

House Bill 2450 would update the fee structure used by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when inspecting nuclear power plants, ensuring the agency has the tools and resources needed to scrutinize all future, current and shuttered plants across the Commonwealth.

“This bill would adjust fees that were set more than a decade ago, and Pennsylvania’s three nuclear operators are in agreement with the new rates to show a shared commitment between industry and government to maintain the highest safety standards,” Mehaffie said. “Inspection and oversight give communities peace of mind.”

House Bill 2450 addresses fees for inspections needed for plant operations and shipments. DEP monitors environmental radiation around nuclear sites and sends staff into plants to observe safety conditions.

“It's clear that nuclear energy will continue to play a key role in our energy economy, but we need to ensure that community safety is always prioritized,” said Fiedler, chairperson of the House Energy Committee. “Communities, regulators and industry stakeholders are all on the same page here – increasing the fees that fund DEP and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency safety programing means we can all benefit from clean, reliable and safe nuclear energy for years to come.”

Pennsylvania has four operating nuclear power plants, with a fifth anticipated to come online in the summer of 2027 when Three Mile Island in Londonderry Township restarts as the Crane Clean Energy Center. More than 550 full-time employees are already on-site.

House Bill 2450 goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie III
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
RepMehaffie.com / Facebook.com/RepMehaffie