The state recently took the first step to potentially becoming a leader in next-generation nuclear energy.
By Rambo Talabong, Inside Climate News
With growing energy demand and delays in renewable energy rollout, New Jersey is doubling down on nuclear—its largest source of in-state electricity—and is now looking at positioning itself as a national leader in developing next-generation reactors.
In March, the state’s Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) issued a request for information, a document signaling the state’s interest in exploring nuclear energy, asking for input from experts and New Jersey residents.
“To ensure resource adequacy can be met in the region without unreasonable impacts on ratepayers, new sources of electricity generation must come online to grow the supply of resources into the electricity grid,” the request reads.
At the same time, its energy master plan is undergoing an update, from declaring that it would only sustain its current nuclear fleet to recognizing in its latest draft summary that “there will be a role for emerging clean firm technologies such as new nuclear, long duration storage and decarbonized fuels.”
It adds: “New Jersey has the opportunity to emerge as a leader in this space.”
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