States moving to promote clean energy through pro-nuclear policies

As energy systems and markets evolve, state legislatures are increasingly taking action to promote nuclear energy policies, along with proposals that support renewable energy and energy efficiency, Nuclear Energy Industry (NEI) Senior Communications Advisor Matthew Wald said in a recent post on NEI’s website.

Illinois and New York have already passed comprehensive legislation that incorporates nuclear energy policy and provisions on solar energy, wind energy and energy efficiency. Connecticut and Ohio are considering proposals and similar propositions are expected soon in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Bill, passed in December 2016, was aimed at stabilizing funding for renewable development. It established a Zero Emission Standard (ZES), which recognized the economic value of avoiding carbon emissions and helped keep nuclear plants open. It also created a community solar program and preserved net metering.

“This is a remarkable moment for the people of Illinois and for thousands of nuclear energy industry employees,” Maria Korsnick, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s chief operating officer, said in December when the bill was passed. “Gov. Bruce Rauner and members of the Illinois General Assembly deserve immense credit for recognizing the unique value of the state’s nuclear power plants and their important role in its critical infrastructure.”

As the energy landscape changes with the growing availability of distributed resources, shifting economics and patterns of energy use, new technologies and concerns about the climate, states are increasingly taking steps to support clean energy, encourage energy efficiency and preserve nuclear facilities.