New Hampshire to assess deployment of advanced reactors

The order initiates a comprehensive review of regulatory, financial, and market factors affecting nuclear deployment, while engaging stakeholders across government and industry. It also calls for the creation of a statewide nuclear energy roadmap to guide future development.

The Executive Order states: "The Department of Energy shall open a proceeding or proceedings to investigate topics including (a) the ability and willingness of nuclear developers and investors to either partner with regulated utilities to develop nuclear generation or to develop nuclear generation independently; (b) cost recovery mechanisms that may protect ratepayers from the risk of cost overruns or development delays; (c) the ability and willingness of regulated utilities to construct nuclear generation or facilitate the buildout of nuclear infrastructure; (d) any federal or state statutes, administrative rules, or any local ordinances that hinder or encourage the development of new nuclear generation in New Hampshire; (e) federal, state, local, and private resources, financial or otherwise, available to increase the likelihood that new nuclear generation will be developed in New Hampshire; and (f) strategies for increasing the likelihood that new nuclear generation will be developed in New Hampshire."

Based upon the results of its investigations, the state's Department of Energy will prepare a nuclear roadmap for New Hampshire that identifies the steps, milestones, and resources needed to attract, develop, and deploy nuclear generation in the state while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and stakeholder alignment. It will also identify any roadblocks to nuclear development in the state and identify strategies for removing them.

The governor also says that, within six months, the department should submit a preliminary roadmap to foster new nuclear generation in New Hampshire (referred to as the 'Granite State'), and within 24 months of the order submits a final report of its findings.

"Granite Staters' electric bills are way too high, and bringing next-generation nuclear power to our state will help expand our energy supply and bring down costs for families," Governor Ayotte said. "Today, I'm directing our Department of Energy to bring together stakeholders, lawmakers and organisations focused on nuclear generation to ensure New Hampshire is at the forefront of this pivotal technology."

"New Hampshire consistently seeks ways to bolster innovation, enhance grid reliability, and increase energy affordability," said Commissioner Jared Chicoine of the New Hampshire DOE. "The next generation of nuclear power has the potential to provide both our state and our region with economic benefits while increasing in-state generation. At the direction of Governor Ayotte, the Department of Energy is looking forward to exploring the future of nuclear energy in New Hampshire."

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, nuclear energy currently accounts for about 57% of New Hampshire's electricity generation.

NextEra Energy Resources, along with its affiliate company Florida Power & Light Company, operates the single-unit Seabrook nuclear power plant in New Hampshire. The 1246 MWe (net) pressurised water reactor began supplying power in 1990 and is currently licensed to operate until 2050.

In January, NextEra Energy said it could add up to 6 GWe of small modular reactor generating capacity at its existing nuclear power plant sites or potential new sites, primarily to meet demand from data centres.