West Virginia ends ban on nuclear power plants

West Virginia ended its decades-long ban on nuclear power plants on Tuesday.

Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed a bill that will allow nuclear power plants in the state. Environmentalists say they can be used to help combat climate change.

Although Justice is supportive of the bill, he said the development of the plants “must be done thoughtfully and, above all, safely.”

“I call upon our Legislature to continue to research and monitor nuclear initiatives around the Nation to ensure appropriate regulatory or safety measures are in place as new technologies are developed and implemented,” Justice said. 

“The bill I have signed today is a positive step in modernizing our State’s regulatory environment, but we must work to ensure only positive outcomes from this legislature by continually evaluating any concerns and implementing best practices in any regulation that may be required,” he added. 

The Associated Press reported that 28 states have nuclear power plants, while thousands of coal jobs have been lost in West Virginia as companies look for more environmentally friendly energy options.