NJ launches Nuclear NJ website as Gov. Sherrill convenes first Nuclear Task Force meeting
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey launched a new nuclear energy website Thursday as Gov. Mikie Sherrill convened the first meeting of the state’s Nuclear Task Force, part of the administration’s efforts to lay the groundwork for new nuclear generation in the state.
The Nuclear NJ website was developed through a partnership among the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The site will provide information and updates on nuclear energy in New Jersey, including affordability, reliability, public safety, community engagement, nuclear waste management, emergency preparedness and economic and workforce opportunities.
During the first Nuclear Task Force meeting, members reviewed a draft charter, established five subcommittees and outlined key areas of work related to potential new nuclear generation in New Jersey.
“New Jersey needs more clean, reliable power to lower costs, meet growing demand, and fuel our economy for decades to come. Next-generation nuclear will help us get there at scale,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “Earlier this year, we ended a 50-year moratorium on new nuclear power. Now, we are laying the groundwork to turn new nuclear power into reality through coordinated, strategic action across state government and with cross-sector stakeholders. We’ve assembled the best of the best on this Task Force, and we are going to take big swings today to secure New Jersey’s energy future tomorrow.”
The task force established five subcommittees focused on regulatory and permitting issues, financing and deal structures, supply chains and technology development, workforce growth and training, and public trust and confidence.
The Regulatory and Permitting Framework subcommittee will review requirements and identify potential opportunities to streamline the development of new nuclear generation. The Financing and Deal Structure subcommittee will examine financing mechanisms and models, while the Supply Chain and Technology Development subcommittee will evaluate supply-chain needs and emerging technologies.
The Workforce Growth and Training subcommittee will identify workforce and training needs, while the Public Trust and Confidence subcommittee will focus on public education, engagement and community input.
The task force follows Sherrill’s Executive Order 2 and legislation enacted in April that lifted New Jersey’s decades-old de facto moratorium on new nuclear development. According to the administration, nuclear energy currently supplies more than 40% of New Jersey’s electricity and about 80% of its carbon-free power.
The Nuclear NJ website is intended to serve as a centralized resource as the state considers additional nuclear generation. It includes fact sheets, explainers and other information covering costs and ratepayer protections, grid needs, public safety, nuclear waste management and emergency preparedness.
“A reliable power system comes down to balance – meeting demand every hour at a reasonable cost while protecting the health, safety, and economic well-being of New Jerseyans,” said Ben Hertz-Shargel, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “As New Jersey looks at new nuclear generation, people deserve clear, accessible information about the data, safety requirements, consumer protections, and tradeoffs behind those decisions. Nuclear NJ helps make that possible so residents, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders can engage directly with the facts. Transparent analysis, strong public-safety protections, and informed participation are essential to better outcomes for New Jersey.”
State officials said any proposed new nuclear project would be subject to multiple layers of federal and state review and permitting, including U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety and security requirements, state environmental standards, emergency planning requirements, public comment opportunities and applicable consumer and ratepayer protections.
“Through DEP’s Operation FAST– Facilitated Approvals for Sustainable Transformation – we are implementing achievable efficiencies that fulfill the Governor’s pledge to make New Jersey more affordable and government more efficient without compromising public safety or our tradition of strong environmental protections,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “Transparency is a pillar of the Sherrill Administration. The launch of this website complements DEP’s work to engage the public and stakeholders as we implement permitting reforms across the agency, including deploying our FAST Team to efficiently advance clean-energy projects that can help build needed infrastructure and deliver ratepayer relief while meeting all applicable environmental, public-health, security, and public-safety requirements.”
The Power NJ Act establishes a competitive procurement process for at least 1,100 megawatts of new nuclear generation. Under the act, the BPU will evaluate whether proposed projects serve the public interest and meet affordability, reliability, financing, consumer protection and public safety requirements.
The state said projects must demonstrate a net benefit to customers, secure federal financing and proceed through required public comment and hearing processes before final approval. Ratepayers are not expected to fund construction before a facility is built and producing electricity, and the law includes protections intended to prevent customers from bearing construction cost overruns.
“Governor Sherrill is addressing utility rates head-on, and by advancing nuclear generation in New Jersey, she will help attract new investment and bring down costs for families and businesses,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “Nuclear NJ will be a one-stop shop for New Jerseyans to better understand how this sector can support affordability, reliability, public safety, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity for communities across the state.”
The Nuclear NJ website will also provide updates on the state’s nuclear energy efforts, information about the feasibility-study process and opportunities for the public to provide input.
