Anonymous resident raises concerns about SB 258, First American Nuclear (FANCO) and Port of Lawrenceburg during public comment

An anonymous Center Township resident told the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that Senate Bill 258, as the commenter read it, would remove state permitting for nuclear facilities by deferring radiological authority to federal law and the U.S. Environmental regulators. The commenter asked the board to monitor proposals and raised concern that a company identified as First American Nuclear (FANCO) had public materials suggesting plans to move operations to Carmel and pursue a large-scale closed fuel-cycle nuclear energy park.

"It aims to remove state permitting requirements for nuclear facilities," the commenter said of SB 258 and described FANCO as a startup moving from Washington state to Indiana that, according to the commenter, has plans involving a multibillion-dollar investment and staged electricity delivery beginning with gas in 2028 and nuclear later.

Commissioners noted their county lobbyist has reviewed related legislation. One staff member said SB 54 had been reviewed and characterized it as "a positive for counties," and commissioners encouraged the commenter to work with county staff and attend upcoming town-hall meetings. The board did not take a formal position on the bills during the meeting.

The commenter also asked about the status of Port of Lawrenceburg redevelopment and whether there were active plans to repurpose the old coal-plant site; county staff said Lawrenceburg city jurisdiction handles port redevelopment, and no county-led port project was reported at the meeting.

These statements were made during public comment and reflect the commenter's interpretation of bills and company plans; commissioners did not vote or issue a formal response at the meeting and encouraged ongoing monitoring.