Gov. Sherrill signed legislation lifting restrictions on nuclear power plant construction in N.J.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation lifting restrictions on nuclear power plant construction in N.J. It reverses a 1973 law that required the state Department of Environmental Protection to reject nuclear facility permits that did not identify a safe method for disposing radioactive waste. The U.S. currently has no facilities to dispose high-level waste. The new law allows plants to obtain permits if they indicate a safe way for storing the waste. The new permit process is meant to increase nuclear power generation throughout the state as energy costs rise. New Jersey currently has nuclear plant sites in Salem and Hope Creek, and together they supply more than 40% of energy in the state, according to the governor’s office. It is not clear how much energy a new nuclear power plant would generate or when a new plant would operate.

From NJ Spotlight News.