New Jersey Lifts 40-Year Moratorium on New Nuclear Power Plants New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation on Wednesday to end the state’s 40-year de-facto moratorium on new nuclear power plants, citing the urgent need to address rising electricity costs and the growing gap between energy supply and demand. The measure, which passed the General Assembly on March 23 with a large majority, amends the Coastal Area Facility and Review Act, a law that previously barred the state’s Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits for nuclear facilities unless the federal government established a permanent nuclear waste disposal site. Sherrill emphasized that the decision was driven by the need to reduce energy costs for consumers, stating, “For costs to come down, we need more energy supply.” She argued that the outdated permit requirements, which had prevented new nuclear projects, were no longer viable. The legislation now allows permits for new reactors based on “safe, [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] compliant waste storage” with a “100 percent effective safety record in the U.S.” The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, highlighted the potential of nuclear energy as a stable, carbon-neutral power source. “I am excited that we are moving closer to building more nuclear generation in our State because it has proven to be a stable and reliable carbon neutral energy source that will help us bridge the gap between what we generate and use,” he said. The move follows a broader push by Sherrill to tackle energy costs, including a state of emergency declaration on energy prices and the creation of a 14-member task force focused on energy financing, supply chains, workforce development, and regulatory frameworks.#new_jersey #mikie_sherrill #wayne_deangelo #salem_nuclear_power_plant #hope_creek
