Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16a-102a: Advanced nuclear reactor site readiness funding program.

(a) As used in this section, (1) “eligible recipient” means (A) a regional governmental entity, municipality, regional council of governments, public authority, state or federally recognized tribe or municipal electric utility or cooperative with a demonstrated interest in hosting advanced nuclear reactors, as determined by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, (B) a private entity partnering or interested in partnering with said entities for the development of advanced nuclear reactors, or (C) an institution of higher education in the state; and (2) “advanced nuclear reactor” has the same meaning as provided in 42 USC 16271, as amended from time to time.

(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a competitive advanced nuclear reactor site readiness funding program. The commissioner may provide funding through the program in the form of grants or loans to eligible recipients in support of:

(1) Environmental and technical studies required for early site permitting for advanced nuclear reactors;

(2) Local and regional infrastructure assessments to support the development of advanced nuclear reactors;

(3) Community engagement and planning initiatives related to hosting advanced nuclear reactors; and

(4) Other necessary expenses identified by the commissioner to advance site readiness for advanced nuclear reactors.

(c) The commissioner may use bond funds authorized in support of the program or federal funds allocated to the state in support of the program established under this section. In the case of federal funds allocated for such purposes, the commissioner may revise its advanced nuclear reactor site readiness grant program criteria to be consistent with the requirements of the federal funding program criteria. The commissioner may use said funds to hire a technical consultant to support the implementation of this section.

(d) For the purposes described in subsection (e) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate five million dollars.

(e) The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be used by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the purpose of funding grants or loans through the advanced nuclear reactor site readiness funding program established pursuant to this section.

(f) All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section. Temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of such bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization that is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Such bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of such bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.