AUGUSTA, Maine - A legislative committee will examine a bill introduced by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that's designed to make it easier to bring small nuclear power plants to Maine.
Currently, Maine voters must approve the construction of any nuclear power plant in the state. But under LePage's bill, voters would no longer have a say if the proposed plant generates 500 or fewer megawatts.
There are currently no nuclear power plants in Maine. The state's only plant, Maine Yankee, closed in 1997.
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday. Some environmentalists and other nuclear critics are expected to oppose the bill.