New Jersey Governor Sherrill Lifts 40-Year Nuclear Moratorium, Paving Way for New Plants

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed legislation that formally ends the state's 40-year de facto ban on new nuclear power plants. This move directly targets one of the nation's most persistent energy cost crises, aiming to expand baseload generation in a state long burdened by some of the highest utility bills. The decision marks a significant policy reversal, clearing a major regulatory hurdle that has blocked nuclear development for decades.

The bill, S3870/A4528, amends the Coastal Area Facility Review Act to remove a key permitting roadblock. The outdated rule had tied state approval to federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission waste-disposal standards that modern projects could not meet. With the change, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection can now grant permits based on proven, NRC-compliant storage methods, which officials cite as having a 100% safety record. Governor Sherrill launched the initiative with a tour of the Salem Nuclear Power Plant and signed an executive order creating a new Nuclear Task Force.

The newly formed task force, which includes representatives from PSEG Nuclear, labor unions, business groups, and environmental stakeholders, will focus on five core priorities: project financing, supply chain and technology development, workforce training, regulatory streamlining, and public engagement. This coordinated effort signals a strategic push to rebuild nuclear capacity, positioning it as a central component of New Jersey's future energy mix and economic stability.