State Representative Gerald Watkins has pre-filed legislation designed to ultimately add Kentucky to the list of states allowing nuclear-generating power stations. The legislation would lift a 1980s-era moratorium  which prohibits nuclear power plants in Kentucky until the United State has a permanent repository for nuclear waste. Representative Watkins said the ban no longer makes sense, as handling of the waste in a responsible way has improved since the ban. If the legislation passes in the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly, the Public Service Commission would be given authority to work with a contractor to make sure any nuclear facility is compliant with rules established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.