Nuclear energy; establishing provisions relating to retirement and replacement of coal-fired electric generation facilities; authorizing construction of nuclear power plant by certain entities. Effective date.

SB 131 requires Oklahoma electric utilities to notify the Corporation Commission before closing coal-fired power plants, prioritize replacing them with advanced nuclear reactors (including small modular reactors), and submit cost studies for replacement options. If a utility chooses not to use nuclear, it must provide written justification for its decision. The bill also mandates that entities building nuclear plants must construct a spent fuel storage facility within the same five-digit zip code and submit detailed applications to the Department of Environmental Quality, including project timelines and cost-effectiveness data. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, directly affecting utilities planning coal plant retirements and nuclear developers seeking to build in Oklahoma.