New Jersey ends de-facto nuclear power plant moratorium

By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - New Jersey lifted a de-facto moratorium on new nuclear energy on Wednesday in the state, which is struggling with some of the fastest-rising power bills in the U.S. as electricity demand outpaces the addition of new supplies.

Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation that removes a permitting requirement that effectively banned the development of nuclear power for decades because it required a method of radioactive waste disposal that was impossible to meet, Sherrill's office said in a statement.

The state, instead, will allow permits for radioactive waste storage that are compliant with federal nuclear regulatory standards.

The action paves the way for nuclear energy to be built in the Garden State, where Sherrill took the top government seat in January after campaigning on the promise of lowering utility bills.

“For costs to come down, we need more energy supply," said Sherrill. "New Jersey is well-positioned to be a leader in next-generation nuclear energy to help bring that supply, and we are open for business."

The governor's office also established a task force to explore New Jersey's potential for building new nuclear energy. Members of the task force come from a range of state government departments, as well as utility PSE&G, nuclear plant part manufacturer Holtec, labor unions and environmental groups.

New Jersey is among 13 states in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest that are connected to a regional grid that has been inundated with electricity supply requests from data centers. Over the past decade, however, net new power supplies in the region have decreased.