Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 07:35
Mehaffie, Fiedler Bill to Enhance Nuclear Plant Inspections
Apr. 23, 2026
HARRISBURG - Legislation co-authored by Reps. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) and Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) 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.
House Bill 2450 would update fees last adjusted in 2014, so plant operators are paying the appropriate amount for inspections needed for plant operations and shipments.
"Regular, comprehensive inspections from state and federal professionals not only create layers of protection to prevent accidents and safeguard communities, but also reinforce the public's trust in this important source of baseload power," Mehaffie said.
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.
"The world and economy have changed a lot since 2014 and our policies should reflect that," Fiedler said. "Adjusting these fees to keep up with inflation ensures that the DEP can do its job effectively, providing necessary oversight of these facilities so they can provide us with reliable, clean energy for years to come."
House Bill 2450 seeks to set appropriate fees for the state to have resources needed to maintain thorough oversight. DEP monitors environmental radiation around nuclear sites and sends staff into plants to observe safety conditions.
The legislation was referred to the House Energy Committee for its consideration.
Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie III
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
[email protected]
House Bill 2450 would update fees last adjusted in 2014, so plant operators are paying the appropriate amount for inspections needed for plant operations and shipments.
"Regular, comprehensive inspections from state and federal professionals not only create layers of protection to prevent accidents and safeguard communities, but also reinforce the public's trust in this important source of baseload power," Mehaffie said.
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.
"The world and economy have changed a lot since 2014 and our policies should reflect that," Fiedler said. "Adjusting these fees to keep up with inflation ensures that the DEP can do its job effectively, providing necessary oversight of these facilities so they can provide us with reliable, clean energy for years to come."
House Bill 2450 seeks to set appropriate fees for the state to have resources needed to maintain thorough oversight. DEP monitors environmental radiation around nuclear sites and sends staff into plants to observe safety conditions.
The legislation was referred to the House Energy Committee for its consideration.
Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie III
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
[email protected]
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 23, 2026 at 13:35 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]