LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK—Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation on Wednesday ending New Jersey's five-decade-old moratorium on nuclear facility construction, clearing regulatory barriers for expanding the state's nuclear infrastructure at the Salem Power Plant complex. She also establishing a new state task force to streamline oversight of the South Jersey nuclear plant.
The bill signing ceremony took place at the Salem facility in Lower Alloways Creek Township, where the governor was joined by Public Service Enterprise Group executives, labor representatives, and legislative sponsors.
Regulatory Changes
Senate Bill 3870 and Assembly Bill 4528 modify the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) of 1973. They remove a provision requiring nuclear facilities to demonstrate federally approved waste disposal mechanisms before receiving construction permits, a standard that effectively blocked new projects for over 50 years. The legislation took effect immediately upon signing.
The Salem Nuclear Generating Station and the adjacent Hope Creek facility occupy approximately 740 acres along the Delaware River. They currently produce roughly 40 percent of New Jersey's electricity and approximately 80 to 85 percent of the state's carbon-free power, according to state and industry estimates.
Economic Impact
A 2020 study by the Brattle Group estimated that maintaining the nuclear sites saves ratepayers approximately $400 million annually compared to replacement power sources. The study found that losing the Salem and Hope Creek facilities would require an additional 14 million megawatt-hours of replacement generation, likely derived from fossil fuels.
"Nuclear power is our safest, most reliable baseload source of carbon-free energy," Sherrill said during the ceremony. "By cutting red tape to protect ratepayers, we can expand this vital baseload power source."
Ralph LaRossa, president of PSEG, stated the legislation would allow the state's power supply to be expanded at the existing site to support growing economic and population demands.
Oversight and Opposition
The new Nuclear Task Force, established under Sherrill's January Executive Order No. 2, will be co-chaired by Deputy Chief Policy Counsel to the Governor Elizabeth Noll and Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President of the Board of Public Utilities. Members will also include Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak, Department of Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, and representatives from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
State Assemblyman Cody Miller (D-4th District), the legislative sponsor, hailed the signing as ending a "four-decade ban on nuclear energy construction." Major environmental organizations did not issue statements immediately following the April 8 signing ceremony.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintains federal licensing authority over the Salem facility, which operates two pressurized water reactors and the Hope Creek boiling water reactor.
Related Articles
Sources
• Office of the Governor, "Governor Sherrill Signs Legislation Lifting 40 Year [sic] Year Nuclear Moratorium, Launches Nuclear Task Force at Salem Nuclear Power Plant" (April 8, 2026)
• New Jersey Legislature, A4528/S3870 (2026)
• Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor, "Gov. Sherrill signs bill to end de facto moratorium on new nuclear plants" (April 8, 2026)
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "Salem Nuclear Generating Station Licensing and Technical Specifications" (2026)
• LegiScan, "NJ A4528 2024-2025 Regular Session" (2026)
• Brattle Group, "Brattle Economists Evaluate Impacts of the Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plants on New Jersey’s Economy" (2020)
• Assemblyman Cody Miller, Legislative Sponsor Statement via Twitter/X (March 28, 2026)
• Jeff Tittel, "Shame on the NJ Legislature for Pushing Nuclear Power," Blog Post (March 12, 2026)