This year, 36 Governors and 6,166 state legislative seats are up for election. Regardless of the election outcome, there will be an opportunity for nuclear advocates to inform and educate the class of new and returning state policymakers on the value of nuclear energy. A large part of this education is sharing the immense progress we’ve seen at the state level over the past twenty years.
The extreme effects of climate change have prompted states to drastically rethink their energy systems, and nuclear is poised to fill the gap as states transition away from carbon-emitting energy sources. An Associated Press survey found that two-thirds of U.S. states say that nuclear will play a role in this transition.
As a 15-year veteran of state government affairs, I can say with confidence that we are positioned better than ever for state policies to support the future of nuclear energy technology. Not only are states hungry for information about nuclear, but they are also motivated to act.
The Nuclear Energy Institute has compiled an exhaustive list of actions taken by governors, legislatures and public service commissions across the country. Over the past two decades, state policymakers from Virginia to Wyoming have recognized the importance of nuclear energy and taken steps that positively impact every segment of the industry.
We found that small tweaks to an existing statute can have significant implications in recognizing the value of carbon-free, always-on nuclear power. For example, some state legislatures have expanded their definition of clean energy to include nuclear. Other states have chosen to enact creative incentives for small modular reactors, spurring their development and deployment.
Some exciting developments over the last few years include:
- Virginia’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Plan sets a path forward for existing and new nuclear.
- Illinois, New Jersey and New York’s Zero Emissions Credit programs preserved these states’ nuclear assets.
- Wisconsin, Kentucky and Montana repealed nuclear moratoriums allowing these states to pursue new nuclear deployment.
- Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska incentivized new nuclear.
The historical snapshot in the report gives perspective around significant state policy signals. The bottom line is that as states rethink their power grids, we’re poised to see strong support for nuclear energy continue to grow.
