New England Governors Announce Commitment to Explore Advanced Nuclear Energy
Published on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Bipartisan group of Governors directs state energy agencies to explore advanced nuclear energy technologies, maintain region’s existing nuclear resources
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee joined with a bipartisan group of New England governors to issue a joint statement outlining their regional commitment to exploring advanced nuclear energy technologies and continuing to support the region’s existing nuclear facilities.
Governor McKee joined Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Maine Governor Janet Mills, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott in issuing a joint statement outlining next steps to strengthen the region’s energy reliability, affordability, and long-term supply:
“Adequate electricity supply is critical to growing our economies, preserving public health and safety, powering our homes and businesses, and stabilizing consumer prices as demand for electricity rises across the region. New England has a long tradition of collaborating on regional energy matters. As governors, we are committed to safeguarding our collective energy future through the advancement of a diverse energy strategy that includes nuclear power, a pillar of New England’s electric system,” state the New England Governors.
The statement outlines two key next steps. First, the Governors are directing state energy offices to explore opportunities to ensure the continued safe, affordable, and reliable operation of our region’s existing nuclear generation facilities.
Second, the Governors directed state energy agencies to take steps to explore the deployment of advanced nuclear generation in states and communities that express a willingness to host such resources. This includes exploring innovative financing structures, federal funding and financial support opportunities, public-private partnerships, and regulatory designs for advanced nuclear energy that will protect consumers, help meet our region’s energy needs, and enable New England to capture job growth and economic development opportunities from the deployment of new nuclear technologies with advanced safety systems.
The Governors reiterated their commitment to ensuring local voices shape decision-making from the outset, including community-led approaches to explore appropriate, responsible locations for new nuclear development.
“These initiatives will complement our states’ other efforts to secure a safe, affordable, and reliable electricity grid for the 21st century,” continue the Governors. “By ensuring both the continued operation of our existing nuclear fleet and setting our region on a path to explore next-generation resources, including advanced nuclear energy technologies, the New England states will continue our leadership in grid modernization and energy innovation as we jointly work to meet the region’s current and future energy needs.”
Electricity consumption in New England is expected to increase more than 40 percent over the next 20 years, according to ISO New England. Demand for electricity in the winter is expected to grow the fastest. ISO New England’s latest forecast shows that winter peak demand is projected to double by 2045.
Last year, Governor McKee signed legislation passed by the General Assembly to expand nuclear energy as an eligible resource under the state’s Affordable Clean Energy Security Act (ACES). With the update to the ACES law, Rhode Island is currently participating in a multi-state nuclear energy procurement solicitation with Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont for existing nuclear facilities in New England and will be evaluating those results over the next several months with the other states. The procurement may provide an opportunity to secure a new resource that diversifies the state’s energy mix, delivers firm winter reliability, and supports ongoing emissions reduction goals.