Sherrill signs bill adjusting nuclear waste requirements for new energy projects

Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a nuclear regulatory bill on Wednesday that she says will effectively lift a 40-year moratorium on nuclear development in New Jersey. 

The bill adjusts a waste-disposal requirement for new nuclear plants. Prior New Jersey law required prospective plants to follow an antiquated process set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which Sherrill said effectively blocked new nuclear development. Now, the state Department of Environmental Protection can approve other NRC-compliant nuclear waste storage systems.

“One law required any new projects to point to a method of disposal that quite literally does not exist,” Sherrill said at the bill signing. “It was written in the 1970s, tied to a technological requirement that made sense then, but not today. It’s a textbook example of the kind of inefficient government that I ran to change.”

Sherrill signed the bill at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant, surrounded by legislators, PSEG officials, and labor leaders.

“Expanding the energy supply is one of the more impactful steps we can take to help bring utility costs under control,” Senate President Nicholas Scutari said in a release. “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.”

The bill cleared both chambers unanimously. Three freshman Democrats — Assemblymembers Chigozie Onyema (D-Newark), Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City), and Ravi Bhalla (D-Hoboken) — abstained.

New Jersey legislators have sought ways to increase the supply of energy as demand continues to rise throughout the region. In her inaugural address, Sherrill signed a pair of executive orders meant to address the ongoing difficulties.

A number of officials praised the bill in a press release, including Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

“Amid a historic rise in energy costs, I am proud to support legislation that will help lower costs for New Jerseyans while advancing safe, innovative ways to generate clean energy,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Nuclear power can play a critical role in keeping energy affordable, and this bill will allow our state to utilize this energy source by updating the permitting framework to safely build and maintain new nuclear facilities.”

Sherrill also announced the members of the Nuclear Task Force, which was established under an executive order signed during her inaugural address and will work to pursue new nuclear energy in the state. Elizabeth Noll, the senior strategist for energy in Sherrill’s office, and Christine Guhl-Sadovy, the president of the Board of Public Utilities, will co-chair the task force.