A Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force in Delaware recently released a report that examines a wide range of issues related to the possible development of nuclear power in the state and includes findings and recommendations.
Kimberly Schlichting, President of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, was a task force member.
The Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force was created when the Delaware 153rd General Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 on July 1, 2025.
Task Force Directive
The Task Force was directed to study and report its findings and recommendations on at least the following topics:
• Assess the technical and logistical feasibility of deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Delaware, including identifying suitable locations, evaluating existing energy infrastructure, and determining necessary upgrades for grid integration.
• Analyze the long-term economic benefits and costs of SMR deployment, comparing nuclear energy pricing to other energy sources, evaluating job creation potential, and assessing local economic impacts.
• Examine how SMRs can enhance Delaware’s energy independence, reduce reliance on electricity imports, stabilize pricing, and provide reliable baseload power compared to intermittent renewable energy sources.
• Identify necessary changes to Delaware’s laws and regulations to facilitate SMR development, review federal and state permitting requirements, and explore strategies to include nuclear energy in the energy mix for Delaware, including but not limited to, nuclear energy credits and clean energy standards or requirements.
• Assess the environmental benefits and potential risks of SMR deployment, including its ability to reduce carbon emissions, its environmental footprint compared to other energy sources, and public health concerns related to safety, waste disposal, and emergency preparedness.
The report details evident areas of general agreement as follows:
• Delaware urgently needs more energy generation; however, nuclear will not meet short-term energy needs as any Delaware SMR would not generate electricity before the mid-to-late 2030s at the earliest.
• The energy needed should come from a portfolio of sources. Non-carbon generation resources, such as SMRs, are valuable tools to meet Delaware’s climate goals.
• Regardless of which scenario is chosen, Delaware should use the current period to lay the foundation: identifying sites, building state capacity, and beginning conversations with the larger community and local jurisdictions on the acceptability of nuclear power.
• The costs of SMR deployment are not yet fully clear.
• It would be unacceptable to expose Delaware ratepayers and taxpayers to significant financial risk if an SMR project fails.
• Financial risk allocation of any SMR deployment should be addressed early on and transparently.
• Both normal operations of conventional nuclear reactors, and interim, onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel, have a meaningful track record of safety.
• The Delaware public would need to be proactively engaged, educated, and listened to regarding benefits and risks of nuclear energy (including spent fuel).
The report listed the following as evident areas of disagreement:
• Whether SMRs should play a significant role in Delaware’s future energy equation (though it appears a majority are supportive or leaning supportive).
• How aggressively or patiently to pursue SMRs.
• Whether to prioritize SMRs or renewables and efficiency. (Many Task Force members support an “all of the above” approach, with stipulations around feasibility and cost.)
• How aggressively to pursue renewables and efficiency (though most support doing so as part of a portfolio).
• Whether a large-scale reactor would be feasible for Delaware (whether in terms of siting, policy, permitting, public acceptance, etc.).
• What entity would be the off-taker of an agreement (State, industry) if a nuclear reactor were built in Delaware.
• Whether it would be worthwhile for Delaware to join an agreement with another state which builds a nuclear reactor, if no reactor is built within Delaware.
The report includes findings and recommendations in the following areas:
• Nuclear power safety for people and the environment – environmental benefits and potential risks
• Suitability of nuclear power for energy production in Delaware
• Nuclear power costs and benefits
• Public policy factors in building a nuclear power facility
• Siting feasibility
“DEMEC agrees that it will take some time for nuclear to be a viable generation resource in the state of Delaware. As such, we recognize the immediate need for generation to bridge the growing demand for energy,” Schlichting said.
“We have advocated throughout the working group process for transitional generation until such time small nuclear can be advanced. DEMEC believes the transitional generation of reliability and affordability is dispatchable generation, most notably natural gas resources.”
The DEMEC Board of Directors has been “very supportive of SMRs due to their ability to more easily locate power dense generation behind the meter in our smaller service territories,” she noted.
“As the state furthers policy goals for renewable, clean energy, DEMEC believes that nuclear energy provides the clean, baseload generation to balance both policy and reality,” Schlichting said.
