By: Cosmo F. Terrigno, Ed.S.
TRENTON, N.J. New Jersey has taken another step in its effort to advance potential new nuclear generation, while Salem County remains home to all three of New Jersey’s operating commercial nuclear reactors.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill convened the first meeting of New Jersey’s Nuclear Task Force on Oct. 1, according to the Governor’s Office. The Task Force is charged with coordinating state agencies and developing a strategy for potential new nuclear generation.
According to the Governor’s Office, the Task Force reviewed a draft charter, created five subcommittees and identified regulatory, financial, technological, workforce and public-engagement issues that will shape its work.
The administration also launched Nuclear NJ, a state website developed in partnership with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Department of Environmental Protection and Economic Development Authority. The site provides information and updates on the state’s nuclear-energy efforts, along with fact sheets and other resources addressing economic and workforce opportunities, safety, ratepayer protections, nuclear-waste management and emergency preparedness.
“New Jersey needs more clean, reliable power to lower costs, meet growing demand, and fuel our economy for decades to come,” Sherrill said. “Next-generation nuclear will help us get there at scale.”
Sherrill also said her administration is seeking to turn new nuclear power into reality through coordinated action across state government and with stakeholders from multiple sectors. Her administration has presented additional nuclear generation as part of its broader efforts to address electricity costs, growing power demand and the state’s future energy needs.
Five Areas of Focus
According to Executive Order No. 2, the Nuclear Power Task Force was established to coordinate state executive departments and agencies in formulating and implementing a strategy for the development of new nuclear generation facilities in New Jersey. The order also allows the Task Force to coordinate with the federal government and other states, establish committees and seek input from outside experts and stakeholders.
At its Oct. 1 meeting, the Task Force divided its work among five subcommittees: Regulatory and Permitting Framework; Financing and Deal Structure; Supply Chain and Technology Development; Workforce Growth and Training; and Public Trust and Confidence.
According to the Governor’s Office, the regulatory group will review permitting requirements and opportunities to streamline development. The financing group will assess financing mechanisms and models for purchasing power from potential projects. The supply-chain group will evaluate supply needs and emerging technologies, while the workforce group will examine training needs. The public-engagement group is charged with developing strategies to educate and engage residents and solicit community input.
Salem County’s Nuclear Connection
According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Salem Units 1 and 2 and Hope Creek Unit 1 are New Jersey’s three operating commercial nuclear reactors. The Salem and Hope Creek facilities are located at the same site in Lower Alloways Creek Township.
According to the Governor’s Office, Sherrill toured the Salem Nuclear Power Plant on April 8, where she signed legislation changing the state’s restrictions on new nuclear development and launched the Nuclear Task Force.
In 2016, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued PSEG an Early Site Permit for a site on the southern portion of Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, adjacent to the existing Salem and Hope Creek reactors.
An Early Site Permit allows the NRC to resolve certain questions about a potential nuclear site before an applicant seeks authorization to build and operate a specific reactor. According to the NRC, its review addresses site safety, environmental protection and emergency preparedness independently of a specific nuclear plant design.
PSEG submitted its application for the Artificial Island site in 2010 without selecting a reactor design, and the NRC issued the permit on May 5, 2016. The permit approved the site for purposes of the NRC’s Early Site Permit process, but did not authorize construction or operation of a nuclear plant.
That history does not mean Salem County has been selected for New Jersey’s next nuclear project. The Sherrill administration has not announced a location for a new reactor.
According to a Nuclear NJ economic and workforce fact sheet, which cites a 2020 PSEG study, the Salem and Hope Creek plants contribute an estimated $1.4 billion annually to New Jersey’s gross domestic product and support 4,530 direct and secondary jobs statewide, including nearly 4,000 in Salem County.
Recent State Actions on Nuclear Energy
According to the Governor’s Office, Sherrill established the Nuclear Power Task Force through Executive Order No. 2 on her first day in office. In April, she signed S3870/A4528, legislation modifying certain permit-review requirements under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act for nuclear facilities.
The previous provision required an approved method for permanent disposal of radioactive waste before certain permits for a new nuclear facility could be issued. Under the amended law, the Department of Environmental Protection commissioner instead determines whether a proposed method for storage or disposal of radioactive waste is safe, conforms with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards and removes danger to life and the environment.
The Sherrill administration has characterized the change as ending a roughly 50-year “de facto moratorium” on new nuclear development in New Jersey.
The legislation does not authorize construction of a new reactor. Any proposed project would still be subject to applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
The administration took another step in July when Sherrill signed the Power NJ Act. The law directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to establish a program to promote the construction of advanced nuclear energy projects in the state, with the BPU consulting with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority as part of the process.
Under the law, the BPU is directed to issue a request for expressions of interest for advanced nuclear projects. Prospective developers seeking qualified-project status must provide information that includes a letter of intent filed with the NRC, a proposed federal licensing pathway and proposed state and municipal permitting pathways.
The procurement process also provides for the evaluation and negotiation of qualified projects, including project costs, development milestones and other terms. The framework does not itself authorize construction of a nuclear facility, and proposed projects would remain subject to applicable regulatory and licensing requirements.
The administration has promoted the Power NJ Act as part of its effort to increase electricity supply while protecting ratepayers. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities says proposed projects will be evaluated for affordability, reliability, financing, consumer protection and public-safety requirements, including whether a project would provide a net benefit to New Jersey customers.
New Jersey already relies on nuclear energy for a significant portion of its electricity. According to the Governor’s Office, nuclear plants currently generate more than 40 percent of New Jersey’s electricity and roughly 80 percent of its carbon-free electricity.
What Comes Next for South Jersey
The Nuclear Task Force remains in the planning and evaluation stage.
According to the Governor’s Office, the Public Trust and Confidence subcommittee is charged with developing strategies to engage and educate residents about advanced nuclear power and solicit community input.
The first Nuclear Task Force meeting did not determine where new nuclear facilities would be located or whether Salem County would host one. The Task Force will continue its work through the five subcommittees established at the Oct. 1 meeting.
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