News Reactor April 2026 Edition

News Reactor April 2026 Edition

Policy News

New Hampshire Gov. Issues Executive Order for Nuclear Growth

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte signed an executive order in March describing how nuclear power may increase reliability, decrease energy costs, and reduce emissions. The order directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to investigate nuclear energy potential in the state, along with identifying companies and investors who may be interested in building new projects and facilities the state. Lastly, the order asks the department to create a nuclear roadmap for New Hampshire, including details about potential obstacles to nuclear development. The state currently has one nuclear plant, Seabrook Station, operated by NextEra Energy.

New England States Announce Joint Nuclear Effort

Six New England governors recently published a joint statement to demonstrate their states' support for nuclear energy technology in the region. Governors from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont collaborated on the statement, in which they share two main objectives. First, support for continued operation of the two existing nuclear plants in the region. Second, support for exploring potential opportunities for developing advanced nuclear in the region. The statement also describes the need for hearing community perspectives and the importance of public trust, the need to secure affordable and reliable energy for the region, and the shared interest between the states to develop more energy together.

Five States Consider Altering Nuclear Moratoriums this Year

Eleven states currently have some type of nuclear moratorium, including full and partial ban, on the construction of new nuclear facilities. This year, five states including California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont are considering legislation that would remove those restrictions and open the states to potential new nuclear development. Of those states, Massachusetts and Vermont currently do not have operating nuclear plants, though both shuttered plants within the last few decades.

California: California has one operating plant, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which has grabbed headlines in recent years as the facility's path to license extension has been fraught with mixed support from the public. Many state leaders have advocated for the plant to remain open, asserting that without it the state would not produce enough power to meet demand. Many however agree that the operator, PG&E, must work to ensure the land around the plant is protected and preserved, which became a major stipulation required by the California Coastal Commission, should the plant receive a license extension. Amid this, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently renewed Diablo Canyon's license, allowing the facility to continue operating through 2045-or 2030 without approval from the legislature.

This session, the California legislature introduced AB 2647, a bill that would create an exemption within the moratorium to allow for advanced reactors. Under the bill, reactors that meet the state's definition of an advanced reactor and use a design approved by the NRC after 2005, would be allowed. The bill also adds stipulations for labor and the workforce employed by the reactor developer, builder and operator. This stipulation would require a legally enforceable commitment from companies when approved by the state's energy commission to construct new projects in the state.

Minnesota: Minnesota hosts two nuclear power plants: Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. However, the state imposed a ban on new nuclear projects in 1994. This session, the legislature introduced Minnesota HF 2002 (engrossed; companion bill SF 2953). This bill would remove the state's current nuclear moratorium by adding language specifying that construction is only prohibited on Prairie Island where an existing plant currently stands. The bill also adds language that prevents a used nuclear fuel storage facility from being constructed on Prairie Island (with the exception of a facility to hold used fuel from the existing plant). Prairie Island is home to a nuclear plant that is directly adjacent to the Prairie Island Indian Community. The Prairie Island Indian Community's land was authorized by the federal government for the plant's construction in the 1970s; further nuclear development on the area is prohibited in the bill.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts banned new nuclear construction in 1982, prohibiting new nuclear facilities unless the U.S. developed disposal for used nuclear fuel. The state also requires a statewide ballot initiative to approve new projects. The state is home to one shuttered nuclear facility, Pilgrim Nuclear Station, which ceased operations in 2019 and is currently undergoing decommissioning. New Hampshire's Seabrook Nuclear Station is within a few miles of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. This year, the legislature and governor have signaled interest in repealing the state's moratorium. Massachusetts HB 5175 (in committee) would repeal Chapter 503 of the acts of 1982, the moratorium on nuclear facilities. This year, Gov. Maura Healy issued Executive Order No. 654, which explicitly lists nuclear energy as a generation source the state ought to consider. The order directs the state to take steps to support advanced energy technologies, including advanced nuclear, fusion, and geothermal.

New Jersey: This year, New Jersey enacted SB 3870, repealing the state's moratorium on new nuclear construction. Previously, New Jersey required the state's Department of Environmental Protection to deny any nuclear permits if a method for disposing used nuclear fuel was not identified. The amendments allow permits to be approved if the application instead identifies a method for storageor disposal. This change means that facilities may be approved if they identify a solution for storing used nuclear fuel. Currently, most nuclear projects in the U.S. store their used material on site until a federal interim or permanent solution is identified. The state currently has two operating nuclear stations, Salem Nuclear Power Plant and Hope Creek Generating Station, which provide around 40% of the state's electricity.

Vermont: Vermont's only nuclear power plant, the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, ceased operation in 2014. The state now requires legislative approval for any new nuclear construction. This session, HB 601 (in committee) proposes changes to the state's Clean Energy Standard, including removing language related to the ban on nuclear power. The new language would remove legislative approval requirements and alter used nuclear fuel conditions, allowing used nuclear material to be stored at the shuttered Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station. SB 281 (introduced) would establish the Nuclear Power Study Committee to identify obstacles to constructing nuclear facilities in the state, including existing state and federal laws and the circumstances that resulted in the shuttering of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station. If enacted, the committee will complete its report and disband before the end of January 2027.

State Legislation Updates

NCSL is tracking over 200 nuclear energy and used nuclear fuel management bills this year. A sample of bills with the most recent activity:

Alabama Senate Joint Resolution 89 (enacted) urges the state and relevant organizations to recognize the value and potential opportunities involving used nuclear fuel, including for additional energy applications. The resolution mentions the Energy Department's request for information regarding the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus.

Connecticut HB 5336 (reissued 3/31/26) would require the state to study the labor and education demands related to the nuclear industry and recommend policies to address the findings. The recommendations must address methods to meet the labor demand; potential collaborations or initiatives between federal agencies, higher education, nonprofits and businesses; and any other strategies to promote the development of skilled labor in the state's nuclear industry. The recommendations are due by Feb. 1, 2028.

Georgie Senate Resolution 482 (adopted) urges the state's Public Service Commission to create a study committee for making recommendations related to nuclear energy to the Senate. This will include advanced nuclear reactors, fusion energy and used nuclear fuel storage and disposal. The resolution states that this committee and their study will conclude in December 2026.

Iowa House Study Bill 767 (in committee) would create sales and use tax exemptions for new nuclear facilities and nuclear facility restarts. The state is currently working to restart Duane Arnold Energy Center. The House hopes that these exemptions will incentivize nuclear developers to bring their business to Iowa. A similar bill was introduced by the Iowa Senate (Senate Study Bill 3181), but the Senate is requiring a minimum contribution of at least 5% of the savings from the exemption from the nuclear generation facility to state higher education institutions to start or maintain nuclear engineering programs.

Missouri Senate Concurrent Resolution 23 (introduced) urges agencies across the state to support Missouri's ambitions to become a premier host site for nuclear energy, including potentially a Nuclear Lifestyle Innovation Campus and expanding nuclear energy, medical isotope production, advanced manufacturing and other technologies related to nuclear energy. While the resolution does not specify particular actions or commit the legislature to certain activities, the resolution signals the legislature's support of nuclear projects in the state.

Oklahoma HB 3175 (in committee) would create the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office to lead the state's nuclear energy development and regulatory framework. The bill would also create a grant program for nuclear development to incentivize and support projects in the state. Among the provisions, the new office would be required to submit a comprehensive framework for nuclear in the state to leadership by the end of 2027 and required to submit strategic planning documents by the end of each even-numbered year. Oklahoma also recently adopted House Resolution 1041, urging the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment to submit an application, or express interest, in the federal Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus request for information that closed April 1, 2026.

Stay up to date on these bills and more with NCSL's 50-state bill tracking database. Filter by topics like nuclear, renewable energy, workforce, and more. 

Nuclear Power Plants and Infrastructure

TerraPower Considering Kansas for Next Natrium Site

The Kansas Department of Commerce has signed a memorandum of understanding with nuclear developer TerraPower to construct the company's Natrium reactor (designed in collaboration with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy) in the state. No site is specified for the new reactor, but it will be within the service territory of Evergy, a utility that serves parts of Kansas and Missouri. TerraPower is currently set to be the first company in the U.S. to deploy a commercial SMR, with a Natrium reactor currently under construction in Wyoming. Kansas is also making headway in nuclear innovation with other projects, including Deep Fission's underground SMR designed to be placed in a borehole one mile under the earth's surface. Initial site construction is underway for this project in Parsons, Kans. The state is also home to the Wolf Creek Generation Station, which provides around 20% of the state's electricity and is also operated by Evergy.

Poland to Build its First Nuclear Power Plant

Poland's state-owned utility, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, has completed its application to construct the country's first ever nuclear power plant. According to the utility's leadership, the application spanned 40,000 pages and was completed by over 200 experts. Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency will review the application. The power plant will use Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, and the plant is designed to host three units. The planned site is located in Choczewo, an area in the central north coast of the country. Currently, Poland relies largely on fossil fuels, including coal and oil, with around 20% renewable energy generation. Additionally, like many countries, Russia's invasion of Ukraine posed challenges for Poland's energy security as the country relied on imports from Russia. Now, Poland is looking to secure reliable and affordable energy through nuclear as they transition away from fossil fuels to meet their country's energy goals.

Materials, Nuclear Fuel, and Used Nuclear Fuel

Paducah to Host Laser Enrichment Facility

Global Laser Enrichment, which focuses on commercializing laser enrichment technology for nuclear fuel manufacturing, is moving forward with plans to construct a re-enrichment facility in Paducah, Ky. The facility, which is still under NRC license review, will re-enrich uranium from depleted uranium tails that are currently stored at the Paducah site under DOE's management. Using laser enrichment technology, the used material can be used for further fuel in advanced reactors. The company currently has a facility in North Carolina where it is piloting the laser enrichment technology. Under Kentucky's incentives and initiatives for nuclear innovation, the company may receive just under $100 million in economic incentives. The company is also receiving support from the Department of Energy to advance laser enrichment technology to advance the domestic nuclear fuel cycle.

Initiatives, Announcements, and Funding Opportunities

8 New York Communities Express Interest in Hosting Nuclear Facilities

Last fall, the New York Power Authority published two requests for information (RFI) asking for communities and developers who might be interested in hosting or constructing new nuclear projects in upstate New York. The most recent update on the two RFIs report that eight communities and 23 nuclear companies have responded to express interest. Of the communities, Oswego County is the only to currently have an operating nuclear plant. Now, the Authority will evaluate the communities and companies that responded to the RFIs and announce the communities that are selected. The full list of communities and companies are available on the American Nuclear Society's Nuclear Newswire.

Nuclear Energy Resources

From ANS: Who's in the running for DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses?

From Reuters: Low enriched uranium could offer faster deployment of small reactors