New Jersey Ends Its Nuclear Moratorium: Will California Be Next?

In response to rising energy costs across the Garden State, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill ended the state’s moratorium on nuclear energy development. The newly elected governor stated “For costs to come down, we need more energy supply … By lifting outdated barriers and bringing together leaders across government, industry, and labor, we’re setting the stage for our state to pursue new advanced nuclear power.” 

As America enters a nuclear renaissance, the Federal Government has been championing the unlimited potential of nuclear energy. Speaking about small and micro modular reactors, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized “We want the nuclear future exactly where the nuclear start came from, The United States.”

With the Federal Government and states like New Jersey leading the bipartisan nuclear renaissance, an important question is raised: When will California, the nation’s most populated state and largest energy consumer, end its moratorium on nuclear energy?

Signed in 1986, California’s moratorium bans future development of nuclear energy until a high level federal solution for nuclear waste is procured. Given that all of America’s uranium waste ever produced would take up no more space than one football field at a depth of ten feet, such a regulation is unnecessary. 

In late February, Assembly Member Lisa Calderon (D., 56th Dist.) proposed AB 2647, which was originally intended to carve out exemptions from the current moratorium but has since been amended to initiate a feasibility study on nuclear energy in the Golden State. Last week, the bill passed both the Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly’s Utilities and Energy Committee.  

Earthineering CEO Dr. Kevin Hickerson with Charles Oppenheimer (left) and Ryan Pickering (right) at San Francisco Climate Week.

Earthineering Company CEO Dr. Kevin Hickerson has long advocated for California lifting its moratorium. In 2023, he even testified before the State Assembly for AB 65, which was a similar effort that unfortunately did not pass the committee due to a lack of bipartisan support. In April, Dr. Hickerson attended San Francisco Climate Week with nuclear energy advocates Ryan Pickering and Charles Oppenheimer to support AB 2647. 

Since The Earthineering Company can ship reactors across the country and around the world, we do not need California to lift its moratorium to be successful. “Whether AB 2647 passes or not, The Earthineering Company will be fine. It’s California that ultimately has the most to lose from not lifting its moratorium,” remarked Hickerson. Nevertheless, as a hub of innovation with a massive dependency on fossil fuels, it is time that Sacramento follows Trenton’s lead to transition California into the nuclear energy future.