Authorizes BPU to provide site approval for small modular reactors; authorizes operators of small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site.
This bill authorizes New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to approve sites for small modular reactors (SMRs) exclusively in municipalities with existing nuclear facilities, overriding local zoning laws. It permits SMR operators to store spent nuclear fuel on-site until a national waste repository is established, following U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety standards. The BPU must also create a financial incentive program for SMR construction within one year. These provisions directly affect SMR developers, the BPU, and municipalities with prior nuclear operations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
General Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced May 19, 2025
Last action Jul 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jun 30, 2025
How they voted
39–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Jun 30, 2025
D
Democratic25
100% Yea
R
Republican15
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jul 24, 2025
Committee
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
lower
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (39-0)
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
May 19, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
upper
2 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bob Smith
DDemocratic
P
Nick Scutari
DDemocratic
Co
Carmen Amato
RRepublican
Co
John McKeon
DDemocratic
Co
Linda Greenstein
DDemocratic
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