Nuclear energy generates a significant amount of low-carbon electricity across the United States. In 2021, that amount accounted for 20% of all electricity generation in the United States. It is seen as a reliable baseload energy source that can support decarbonization efforts and provide long-term workforce opportunities.  Nuclear reactors are located in 28 states and advanced nuclear reactor projects are being explored in multiple states.  

Advanced nuclear reactors are an innovative technology with advanced safety measures and efficient and streamlined designs. State Energy Offices are exploring ways to incorporate advanced nuclear reactors into their programs and policies and better understand the intersections with other key issues such as integration of renewable energy and hydrogen production. 

The NASEO-NARUC Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative (ANSC) convenes state utility regulators, State Energy Officials, and invited experts to exchange questions, needs, and challenges relating to the planning and deployment of new advanced nuclear generation. ANSC participants will have the opportunity to share information on the regulatory, policy, and programmatic steps needed to facilitate the deployment of advanced nuclear and work with peers across different states. 

  • In April 2024, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released a joint report on Coal to Nuclear Repowering: Considerations for State Energy Offices and Public Utility Commissions. Closures of coal power plants are expected to continue as the long-term economic viability of many of these facilities diminishes and states work to meet federal and state environmental, economic development, and climate goals. States are exploring opportunities to use the infrastructure and existing workforce located at the sites of retiring or retired coal power plants to potentially site small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). This report highlights the benefits and challenges associated with the coal to nuclear repowering process, with a particular focus on the policy, programmatic, and regulatory considerations of relevance to states. This report was made possible with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and was developed in close coordination with the NARUC-NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative (ANSC), an effort comprised of 31 State Energy Offices and Public Utility Commissions across the country with a focus on peer sharing and information exchange on facilitating the deployment of advanced nuclear.