Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Senate Bill 3870/Assembly Bill 4528 April 8. The law removes a decades-old barrier to new nuclear energy development in New Jersey and launches a new Nuclear Task Force.

The legislation allows the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to approve permits for nuclear energy generation facilities if the proposed storage or disposal of radioactive waste is safe and complies with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards.

The signing took place at the PSEG Salem Nuclear Power Plant in Lower Alloways Creek. Together with Hope Creek, the facilities produce more than 40% of New Jersey’s electricity and roughly 80% of the state’s pollution-free power.

The move lifts a decades-long barrier that effectively blocked new nuclear construction. It also builds on Sherrill’s early efforts to focusing on energy prices and increasing generation, central tenets of her successful gubernatorial campaign.

Sherrill noted her administration’s early steps to expand energy supply. So far that has included executive orders freezing rate hikes and increasing new power generation, approving six new solar projects, modernizing natural gas plants, and exploring opportunities for new nuclear sites.

The newly formed Nuclear Task Force, established under Executive Order 2, will convene leaders from government, industry, the environment and labor. The group will explore opportunities, organizing its work across five focus areas: Financing, Supply Chains and Technology Development, Workforce Growth and Training, Regulatory and Permitting Framework, and Public Trust and Confidence.

Nuclear Task Force members include:

• Co-chair Elizabeth Noll, senior strategist for energy, Office of the Governor
• Co-chair Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
• Counsel Colin Emerle, senior counsel, Office of the Governor
• Ed Potosnak, commissioner, NJDEP
• Evan Weiss, CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• Brig. Gen. Yvonne Mays, commissioner, Department of Military Affairs
• Aaron Binder, state treasurer
• Charles McFeaters, president and chief nuclear officer, PSEG Nuclear
• Patrick O’Brien, director of government affairs and communications, Holtec
• Michele Siekerka, president and CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association
• Joseph Egan, business manager, Electrical Workers Construction Division Association
• Mike Hellstrom, vice president and eastern regional manager, LIUNA
• Marion Abdou, former commissioner, NJDEP
• Matthew McKinzie, senior director, data & policy analysis, Science Office, NRDC

“For costs to come down, we need more energy supply. New Jersey is well-positioned to be a leader in next-generation nuclear energy to help bring that supply. And we are open for business,” said Sherrill. “By lifting outdated barriers and bringing together leaders across government, industry and labor, we’re setting the stage for our state to pursue new advanced nuclear power.

“This will help New Jersey secure a stronger, cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy future – while keeping the state at the forefront of innovation, job creation and economic growth.”

Getting in on the ‘nuclear renaissance’

Sherrill highlighted New Jersey’s current nuclear capacity and impact, as well as its future potential. She noted the source currently generates nearly half of the state’s electricity, enough to power 3 million homes. Additionally, it supports more than 1,600 local jobs.

“Across America, a nuclear renaissance is taking shape with new plants, new partnerships, new funding and new opportunities,” she said. “And New Jersey is uniquely positioned to lead.

Across America, a nuclear renaissance is taking shape with new plants, new partnerships, new funding and new opportunities. And New Jersey is uniquely positioned to lead.
—Gov. Mikie Sherrill

“We have the infrastructure. We have the workforce, the innovators, the experience, we know how to do this, and the potential benefits are huge. Safe nuclear can produce clean, stable power at a predictable cost, protected from global price swings. And it can help to keep both cost and emissions down as we grow.”

The legislation updates the Coastal Area Facility Review Act to allow the NJDEP commissioner to approve nuclear energy permits. 

“I’m signing a bill to cut that red tape, removing a big barrier to new nuclear in our state,” said Sherrill. “This bill requires projects to use safe, cutting-edge storage methods instead. Methods that have been used thousands of times in over 35 states for the last 40 years – with a 100% safety record. And they’ll be accompanied by the strictest oversight.”

She touted nuclear’s strong safety record and also noted the bipartisan nature of the legislation.

“This bill recognizes that it helps us innovate responsibly. It’s common sense and it’s bipartisan. It passed the Senate by a vote of 38 to zero,” she said.

Controlling costs

Sherrill stressed that this is just a first step.

“But by doing these two things in parallel – cutting 50-year-old red tape and recruiting experts to ensure we’re only moving forward in a safe, measured way – we’re setting our state up to make the most of its potential. Because when it comes to our future, I will always consider every possibility to lower costs, to expand opportunity, to build a government that delivers for the people and the businesses it’s meant to serve. That’s what we’re doing here.”

Bill sponsor Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-22nd District, said, “Expanding the energy supply is one of the more impactful steps we can take to help bring utility costs under control. As energy expenses increase and the demand for affordable electricity grows, it’s important that we have all options on the table.

“Nuclear power is a clean, reliable source of power that can improve energy security and affordability.”

Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-36th District, is also a bill sponsor. He emphasized the importance of nuclear energy to New Jersey’s grid and economy.

“The regional power grid is experiencing a significant load growth, driven by rising electricity demand and constraints on new supplies entering the system,” Sarlo said. “This can be partially alleviated with the addition of modern nuclear facilities that are safer, more cost efficient and more environmentally sustainable than previous generations.”

Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, D-14th District, noted the importance of the legislation to opening the door for new nuclear technology.

“Nuclear power remains one of the most reliable sources of zero-emission electricity available today,” said DeAngelo, a sponsor of the measure. “This bill removes an outdated barrier that has for too long prevented New Jersey from making meaningful progress towards our energy goals, opening the door to technologies that could help strengthen reliability while maintaining the strong safety and environmental standards New Jersey residents expect.”

Partnering with PSEG

PSEG President and CEO Ralph LaRossa also spoke at the signing event. “As far as PSEG, we’re open for business. Big plants like this – we’re going to need a lot of partnership to make something like this happen. We’re going to go out banging on doors and try to find as many partners as we can have.

“But in the meantime, in the short term, we’re going to be getting the wires ready all throughout the state for the solar. And the batteries that are so needed to start that process to bring more generation into the state.”

PSEG issued a statement Wednesday applauding Sherrill’s leadership on this issue.

“Since taking office, Gov. Sherrill continues to take action to show that New Jersey is open for business. By removing outdated barriers and creating a clear path for modern nuclear technologies, the governor is ensuring that New Jersey can meet growing energy needs with reliable, 24/7, carbon-free power that supports economic growth for decades to come. PSEG shares the governor’s recognition of the benefits and opportunities that new nuclear generation can bring to New Jersey. The governor’s vision creates spaces for innovation and opens the door to new investment that will benefit communities across the state.

“New Jersey currently imports nearly half of its electricity, leaving our residents and businesses increasingly exposed to regional supply constraints, volatile costs, and the impacts of a rapidly changing grid. With energy demand rising and supply tightening, expanding instate nuclear generation is essential to maintaining reliability, predictability and our long-term energy independence.”

Supporting South Jersey

Business leaders also praised the legislation.

Task force member Siekerka said, “Our regional power grid is under strain from surging demand and limited new supply. Expanding nuclear power is part of a long-term, comprehensive solution for closing the gap between supply and demand that has driven up utility costs for businesses and residents.”

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President of Government Relations Michael Egenton added, “Today’s action by Governor Mikie Sherrill … is a decisive step toward a stronger, more resilient energy future. By removing unnecessary red tape while maintaining rigorous safety standards, this legislation opens the door to reliable, large-scale, emissions-free power that will help stabilize and ultimately lower energy costs for residents and businesses.”

Christina Renna is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. She said, “As our state works to lower utility costs and strengthen energy independence, nuclear power must be a central part of that solution. By removing outdated regulatory barriers, this legislation creates the conditions necessary for responsible nuclear expansion, adding the desperately needed energy generation capacity our grid requires while continuing to support one of South Jersey’s most vital industries.

“The PSEG Nuclear facilities in Salem County have long served as the economic backbone of South Jersey, generating thousands of good-paying, stable jobs and providing critical tax revenues that support our local communities. In a county that has been historically underserved, these plants represent exactly the kind of anchor investment that sustains families and businesses across South Jersey.”