Assembly Member Arambula's nuclear energy proposal charts a new regulatory course for California's power generation landscape by exempting small modular reactors from existing nuclear facility restrictions while directing a broader transition away from natural gas power. The measure modifies long-standing state requirements that nuclear plants demonstrate viable fuel reprocessing and waste disposal capabilities before certification.

Under the proposed changes, nuclear reactors generating up to 300 megawatts per unit would no longer face the certification hurdles applied to larger facilities. The current framework requires the Energy Commission to verify that approved technologies exist for both fuel rod reprocessing and permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste before permitting new plants. While maintaining these provisions for conventional nuclear facilities, the bill creates a separate approval track for small modular reactors.

The legislation tasks the Public Utilities Commission with developing a plan by January 2028 to increase procurement of nuclear-generated electricity while phasing out natural gas power sources. This builds upon California's existing commitment to achieve 100% carbon-free retail electricity sales by 2045. The measure preserves legislative oversight of nuclear facility approvals through a 100-day review period during which either legislative chamber can reject Energy Commission certification findings.