Two bills have been introduced in the Hawaii legislature to allow nuclear energy generation, which could help the state overcome high electricity prices and reliance on imported materials and fuels.

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) said the new legislation could make Hawaii the 29th state to produce nuclear power, but warned that the plans face an uphill battle.

Cory Chun, a Democrat serving on the Hawaii House of Representatives and a sponsor of the two bills, said: “I honestly think it’s a fear of nuclear energy.”