The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials, recently released a new report that is designed to assist public utility commissions and State Energy Offices preparing to lead and/or contribute to the development of a strategic framework for new nuclear energy generation projects in their states.
The report “is a response to increased interest in advanced nuclear generation among state energy directors and utility regulators, as advanced nuclear energy offers potential benefits related to grid reliability, environmental impacts and economic development,” NARUC said.
This increased interest has led State Energy Offices and PUCs in several states to develop or consider developing strategic frameworks examining the role of new nuclear energy generation; assessing factors impacting project development; and identifying action items for governors, legislatures and state agencies.
“As load growth continues across the United States, it is important for states to look toward reliable sources of energy such as advanced nuclear to enhance their energy portfolios,” said Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson of the Arizona Corporation Commission. “The guidance within this report provides a valuable roadmap for states to evaluate and plan for the role of advanced nuclear technologies in their energy mixes.
By developing a strategic framework, we can ensure that any future nuclear investments are aligned with our regulatory processes, community needs and energy goals.”
To support states contemplating advanced nuclear, the report summarizes suggested steps for developing a strategic framework, discusses factors for states to explore, and offers considerations for integrating an advanced nuclear energy strategic framework with other state energy planning, policy development and regulatory processes.
“Supporting Tennessee's and many other states’ advanced nuclear planning and development work is foundational to getting more firm and affordable power on the grid in the years to come. The use of State Energy Program funding by the State Energy Offices is critical to bringing together public-private partnerships and implementing policies that will bring nuclear technologies to our states more rapidly and safely,” said Director of Tennessee's Office of Energy Programs, NASEO Chair, and Co-Chair of ANSC and NASEO’s First Movers Initiative Molly Cripps.
“State Energy Offices in every region of the nation are supporting their governors and legislatures in developing advanced nuclear deployment pathways and are coordinating closely with the public utility commissions and major private-sector partners such as data center hyperscalers and investors,” said NASEO Senior Managing Director Kirsten Verclas.
Developing State Advanced Nuclear Energy Strategic Frameworks: Guidance for State Energy Offices and Public Utility Commissions was produced under the NARUC-NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative, an initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy-NARUC Nuclear Energy Partnership.
The ANSC convenes state utility regulators and State Energy Officials to enhance collective understanding of the unique regulatory and policy questions surrounding the consideration and deployment of new nuclear generation, and to support peer learning across states.
A public webinar will be held on July 18 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, when the report authors will share an overview and key takeaways.
