Massachusetts Governor Healey is joining other New England Governors in a commitment to exploring nuclear energy.
The commitment was to exploring advanced nuclear energy technologies and to continue supporting existing facilities.
The joint statement said they hope to strengthen the region's energy reliability, affordability, and long-term supply.
“Adequate electricity supply is critical to growing our economies, preserving public health and safety, powering our homes and businesses, and stabilizing consumer prices as demand for electricity rises across the region. New England has a long tradition of collaborating on regional energy matters. As governors, we are committed to safeguarding our collective energy future through advancement of a diverse energy strategy that includes nuclear power, a pillar of New England’s electric system,” state the New England Governors.
The statement outlines two key next steps.
First, the Governors are directing state energy offices to explore opportunities to ensure the continued safe, affordable and reliable operation of our region’s existing nuclear generation facilities.
Second, the Governors directed state energy agencies to take steps to explore deployment of advanced nuclear generation in states and communities that express a willingness to host such resources. This includes exploring innovative financing structures, federal funding and financial support opportunities, public-private partnerships, and regulatory designs for advanced nuclear energy that will protect consumers, help meet our region’s energy needs, and enable New England to capture job growth and economic development opportunities from the deployment of new nuclear technologies with advanced safety systems.
All the governors warn that electric consumption in New England is expected to skyrocket over the next two decades.
(Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP / Getty Images