Miller Bill to Support Nuclear Energy Expansion in New Jersey

(TRENTON) — As electricity demand grows and pressure on the regional grid continues to mount, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee today advanced Bill A4528. Sponsored by Assemblymen Cody Miller, Wayne P. DeAngelo, and Jerry Walker, the legislation would modify certain permit review requirements under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) to allow nuclear energy generation facilities to be considered for permits under New Jersey’s environmental review process.

“As our state confronts rising energy demand and increasing costs for ratepayers, it is important that we keep every responsible energy option on the table,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “By allowing these projects to be considered while keeping in place strict environmental and safety standards, we are taking a responsible step toward strengthening reliability, supporting affordability for families and businesses, and ensuring our energy system is prepared to meet the needs of the future.”

New Jersey’s regional electric grid is currently facing significant load growth driven by rising electricity demand and constraints on new supply entering the system. These pressures have contributed to record-high capacity market clearing prices, costs which are ultimately passed on to ratepayers. At the same time, nuclear energy remains a source of clean, reliable baseload energy regardless of weather conditions.

“Nuclear power remains one of the most reliable sources of zero-emission electricity available today,” said Assemblyman DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex). “This bill would remove an outdated barrier that has for too long prevented New Jersey from making meaningful progress towards our energy goals, opening the door to technologies that could help strengthen reliability while maintaining the strong safety and environmental standards New Jersey residents expect.”

The bill would amend the current statute to allow the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to determine whether a nuclear energy generation facility’s method for storing or disposing of radioactive waste material meets safety standards established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and adequately protects public health and the environment. Newer advanced nuclear reactors are designed to be even safer, more cost-efficient, and more environmentally sustainable than previous generations of nuclear reactors. 

“Families and businesses across New Jersey are feeling the pressure of rising energy costs, and reliability must remain a top priority as we look toward the future of our energy system,” said Assemblyman Walker (D-Hudson). “We need to explore all of our options when it comes to cost savings so we can support the growth of our state’s economy and protect affordability for all who call our New Jersey home.”

Assembly Democrats have prioritized strengthening New Jerseys energy future, passing more than a dozen bills to address energy affordability in New Jersey, such as holding electric utilities and grid operators accountable for generation costs and providing direct financial relief during last summer’s price spike.