Newly elected New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) has signed an executive order to form a state interagency nuclear task force focused on developing new nuclear generation.
The Jan. 20 executive order leans on developing new megawatts in the short term with energy sources such as solar and battery and long-term nuclear power. The power generation order marked the second executive action made by Sherrill, who was inaugurated as governor on Jan. 20.
The New Jersey Nuclear Power Task Force will be led by leaders from the state’s “BPU [Board of Public Utilities], DEP [Department of Environmental Protection], the Economic Development Authority, the Department of Military Affairs, and the Department of the Treasury,” according to the order.
New Jersey has two operating nuclear power plants in Salem and Hope Creek. In 2023, nuclear power would make up 42% of the state’s electricity generation, according to the Energy Information Administration.