Copyright NJ.com
By Ron Simoncini New Jersey is running out of power and out of time. Electricity demand is rising faster than our ability to supply it, creating a bottleneck that threatens our economy. If we want to remain competitive, we need to move boldly. Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs, could be the breakthrough that powers New Jersey’s future. Traditional nuclear plants take over a decade to build, cost billions, and require remote sites far from demand centers. SMRs are different: factory-built nuclear reactors shipped in modules and assembled on site. This makes them faster to deliver, easier to site near users, and safer thanks to modern passive safety systems and underground or shielded designs. A single 300-megawatt SMR could power nearly 300,000 homes, or entire campuses of data centers, pharmaceutical headquarters, and research labs. Unlike solar or wind, they produce carbon-free electricity around the clock, regardless of weather. New Jersey can seize a competitive edge by adopting a policy on SMRs that puts it at the front of the line with manufacturers eager to deliver ready-to-deploy equipment. The competitive environment represents an inflection point we cannot ignore. Demand for electricity is surging, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced research. Nvidia’s $100 billion investment in AI alone will require electricity equal to more than eight million homes. Other states see the opportunity: Virginia has become the nation’s largest data center hub, while Texas and Ohio are fast-tracking nuclear projects and transmission lines. New Jersey is already behind, facing higher electricity prices and limited supply. Prices here consistently exceed the U.S. average. Developers face years-long waits to connect to the grid, and nearly every new data center is pre-leased before construction is complete. When companies cannot secure reliable power, they go elsewhere — and with them go jobs, tax revenue, and momentum. The value of commercial real estate is no longer tied only to location but to guaranteed access to energy. A hyperscale campus or research lab cannot commit to New Jersey without megawatts in hand. Without them, we lose not only projects but also the construction and operational jobs that sustain local communities. The state should adopt a broad policy agenda: establish an Advanced Nuclear Office within the Board of Public Utilities to coordinate permitting, identify potential sites, and align incentives with federal programs like the DOE’s Loan Programs Office and Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. A siting and vendor-readiness program would ensure New Jersey is first in line for deployable equipment, reducing costs for residents and strengthening our appeal to energy-intensive industries. SMRs are not a silver bullet, and we will still need renewables, efficiency measures, and new transmission lines. But they are a proven, reliable gap-filler that can stabilize our power grid during a pivotal decade, and compared to other transmission options, they can be deployed faster and at meaningful scale. Their safety record should also inspire confidence. For 60 years, U.S. submariners have lived and worked just yards from nuclear reactors under 4,000 feet of water without a single case of radiation sickness. If small reactors are safe enough for our most valued patriots, they can be trusted as part of today’s innovative, high-performing SMR designs. Energy leadership equals economic leadership in the coming decade. By embracing SMRs, New Jersey can transform its energy weakness into a competitive strength. We can reclaim our reputation as a state of innovation and industry and ensure that the next generation of jobs, discoveries, and growth happens here. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature website’s Legislative Roster.
