States Are Building the Foundation for America's Nuclear Future

Across the country, state policymakers and leaders are taking clear steps to support both today's nuclear fleet and the next generation of reactors.  

The pace of activity has become so widespread that nearly every state has a story to tell. The examples below highlight several of the most significant trends shaping state nuclear policy in 2026. 

Governors are setting the direction 

Thirteen governors (more than ever before) highlighted nuclear energy in their 2026 State of the State addresses, recognizing the value nuclear brings to their local economies and energy goals.  

Some governors have gone even further by establishing bold deployment initiatives. 

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a goal of developing 5 gigawatts of new nuclear generation, one of the largest state commitments to new nuclear development in the country.  
• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order supporting the deployment of 2 gigawatts of new nuclear generation after the legislature repealed the state's long-standing nuclear prohibition. 

Other governors are strengthening coordination across state government. 

• Missouri established an Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force, New Jersey created an interagency Nuclear Power Task Force, Iowa launched a Nuclear Energy Task Force, and New Hampshire is developing an advanced reactor roadmap. 

Regional collaboration is also growing. 

• All six New England governors issued a joint statement committing to explore advanced nuclear technologies while supporting continued operation of the region's existing nuclear fleet.  
• Through the Western Governors Association, Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox spent the last year examining the challenges and opportunities for energy production across the West, with a key focus being support for nuclear. 
• And now, the Midwestern Governors Association is kicking off Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s Chair Agenda, focused on deploying advanced nuclear in the Midwest.  

Legislatures are removing barriers and reducing project risk 

State legislatures are removing regulatory barriers and creating predictable investment environments. 

Several states modernized decades-old laws. 

• Illinois fully repealed its nuclear moratorium. 
• And New Jersey removed the remaining statutory barrier that effectively prevented any new nuclear development in the state.  
• Although Minnesota did not remove its current prohibition on new nuclear construction (yet), the state did take the first step by passing a bill to study nuclear’s potential role in meeting the state’s carbon-free electricity goals. 

Other legislatures focused on reducing early project risk. 

• Kentucky enacted landmark legislation that provides up to $25 million to support early site permitting, licensing, and project development. 
• Indiana continues building one of the nation's most comprehensive state frameworks by streamlining permitting requirements and removing outdated regulations affecting new nuclear development. 

Workforce and supply chain investments also expanded. 

• Iowa created a dedicated nuclear workforce fund, Tennessee awarded grants to expand nuclear education and workforce training, and Connecticut authorized a workforce study. 
• New York launched a $40 million nuclear workforce initiative through the New York Power Authority that will support technical training, apprenticeships, and university partnerships. 

Public utility commissions are preparing for deployment 

State utility regulators are preparing today, so they are ready when utilities bring forward new nuclear proposals. 

Commissions are proactively opening dockets, gathering stakeholder input, and evaluating how existing regulatory frameworks can support advanced reactor deployment. 

• Arizona and Kentucky recently convened workshops examining nuclear energy.  
• Maryland developed recommendations to incentivize new nuclear deployment.  
• New York launched proceedings to meet the Governor’s Nuclear Reliability Backbone initiative.  
• And North Carolina continues integrating both advanced and large-scale nuclear into its long-term resource planning. 

State energy offices are becoming nuclear coordinators 

State energy offices are taking on expanded leadership roles by coordinating planning, conducting studies, and positioning their states for future investment. 

• Massachusetts is developing advanced nuclear and fusion roadmaps, Arizona released recommendations from its Energy Promise Task Force, and Delaware extended the work of its Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force.  
• And New York published an Advanced Nuclear Policy Options Paper, which includes an evaluation of policy mechanisms to support advanced nuclear projects. 

As states move from planning to implementation, many are creating dedicated nuclear offices or centralized points of contact to guide projects through state government. Because new nuclear projects involve multiple agencies—including permitting, environmental reviews, workforce development, infrastructure, and economic development—a single coordinating office can streamline engagement and improve coordination. 

• Texas created the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office last year, but several other states have considered a similar office or dedicated point of contact through legislation this year. 
• Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Carolina have passed or considered similar language in 2026.  

And these actions are getting noticed! 

This year, Nuclear Matters launched the Nuclear State Champions program, honoring more than 150 policymakers, regulators, and energy leaders across more than 40 states who are advancing policies supporting nuclear energy. 

Looking ahead 

State activity in 2026 demonstrates that nuclear energy has become a central component of long-term energy and economic planning across the country. Policymakers are creating the regulatory frameworks, workforce pipelines, financing tools, and partnerships needed to enable deployment. 

As states continue to learn from one another and share best practices, they are laying the groundwork for the next generation of nuclear energy projects across the United States.