More nuclear power plants could soon be coming to 黑料吃瓜网.
For decades, 黑料吃瓜网 banned new nuclear energy facilities, but lawmakers recently modified that moratorium in , potentially paving the way for new reactors.
The law creates a funding program for cities and towns to explore the possibility of building a new nuclear power plant, but would require a community vote before construction could begin.
Officials say the law is needed to meet a growing demand for electricity, and keep costs down. Gov. Ned Lamont spoke to that idea during his State of the State address in January.
鈥淥ver the next 10 years, we will need more electricity to meet the increased demand and hold down cost,鈥� he said. 鈥淣uclear power 鈥� that provides most of our carbon-free power.鈥�
黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 sole nuclear power plant, the Millstone Power Station in Waterford, provided about one-third of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 in-state power in 2023, .
Under the new law, 鈥渃itizens, residents, businesses will have a say and will be able to get more information on what the implications of hosting a nuclear facility would be,鈥� said Katie Dykes, commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
鈥淲hether it's environmental considerations or safety considerations,鈥� she said.
How it works
The law directs DEEP to create a site readiness funding program of up to $5 million. Cities and towns could use the money for early site permitting, planning and community outreach.
The money will be available to municipalities interested in hosting an advanced nuclear facility, including small modular reactors, microreactors, larger advanced reactors and fusion machines.
鈥淥ne of the things that this might support, for example, could be to help communities explore whether they want to opt in to host new, advanced nuclear facilities in the state,鈥� said Bruce Ho, a senior policy advisor on energy at DEEP.
However, construction on a new nuclear facility won鈥檛 be able to start unless the community votes in favor of hosting the site.
If a community votes in favor, it would lift the state鈥檚 moratorium on constructing nuclear energy sites. A community vote would not be needed to add an additional nuclear facility at the Millstone plant in Waterford.
Lamont that more nuclear power could help drive down energy prices in 黑料吃瓜网, which are among the highest in the nation.
鈥淭hese high prices impact all of us: working families, seniors on a fixed income, small businesses and large manufacturers. Everyone was mad as hell looking at their bills following the hottest July in record history, so was I,鈥� Lamont said.
A spokesperson for DEEP said the department is working with all six states in New England to look at policy options that would attract investment in new nuclear energy.
脕ine Pennello is a corps member who covers the environment and climate change for 黑料吃瓜网.
