Joint committee to consider lifting nuclear ban

St. Paul, Minn. (AP) — House and Senate members will begin working out their differences on an energy bill this week, and that's expected to include another discussion on nuclear power.

The Senate voted to lift Minnesota's current ban on construction of new nuclear power plants, but the House defeated the measure by 12 votes.

The failed House vote hurts the measure's chances, but environmentalists who oppose expanding nuclear power have said they will be watching closely as the energy conference committee meets. Its first meeting is set for Monday.

If the legislation doesn't pass, one House member who supports lifting the ban has introduced an alternative way to do that. Republican Rep. Laura Brod of New Prague has proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow Minnesota voters to decide.

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