As part of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s ongoing push to expand clean energy capacity while driving down utility costs, three state agencies have officially launched Nuclear NJ, a centralized website designed to inform residents and ratepayers about the state’s evolving nuclear energy landscape.
The collaborative digital hub—accessible at nj.gov/nuclear—is a joint initiative by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The platform aims to provide transparent, accessible resources regarding how nuclear power can strengthen grid reliability, reduce emissions, and support ratepayer affordability.
A comprehensive resource for ratepayers
With New Jersey actively charting a course toward expanded nuclear generation, the new website serves as a one-stop shop for public information. Key features of the portal include:
- Educational Materials: Fact sheets, explainers, and updates on interagency coordination and feasibility studies.
- Core Focus Areas: Detailed breakdowns of cost protections, grid reliability, public safety, community engagement, nuclear-waste management, and emergency preparedness.
- Regulatory Oversight: Information on independent oversight by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and stringent state environmental safeguards.
“As New Jersey looks at new nuclear generation, people deserve clear, accessible information about the data, safety requirements, consumer protections, and tradeoffs behind those decisions,” said Ben Hertz-Shargel, President of the NJBPU. “Nuclear NJ helps make that possible so residents, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders can engage directly with the facts.”
Building on legislative milestones
The launch of Nuclear NJ builds on significant policy shifts under the Sherrill Administration, which took office in January 2026. In April, the Governor signed legislation ending the state’s decades-old de facto moratorium on new nuclear construction and established a Nuclear Task Force to guide workforce development, supply chains, and safety alignment.
Additionally, the Power NJ Act establishes a competitive procurement framework for at least 1,100 megawatts of new nuclear generation. The legislation incorporates strict ratepayer safeguards, ensuring that:
- Projects must demonstrate a tangible net benefit to customers and secure federal financing.
- Ratepayers are not asked to fund construction costs before a facility is built and producing electricity.
- Legal protections prevent customers from absorbing construction cost overruns.
“Nuclear NJ will be a one-stop shop for New Jerseyans to better understand how this sector can support affordability, reliability, public safety, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity for communities across the state,” Evan Weiss, CEO of the NJEDA, said.
State leaders emphasize that any future nuclear projects will remain strictly bound to rigorous federal and state review processes. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak noted that the website complements the agency’s broader transparency efforts, including the deployment of the Operation FAST (Facilitated Approvals for Sustainable Transformation) team to streamline clean infrastructure projects without compromising safety or environmental standards.
Stakeholders, community leaders, and residents are encouraged to visit nj.gov/nuclear to explore the new resources, sign up for updates, and track upcoming public comment and hearing opportunities as New Jersey shapes its energy future.
