New England states are weighing advanced nuclear power as electricity demand grows and concerns persist over costs and grid reliability.
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Connecticut and the five other New England states will hold a regional summit next month to consider the potential role of advanced nuclear technology in meeting the region’s growing energy needs.
The 2026 New England Regional Nuclear Policy Summit is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Gov. Ned Lamont’s office announced Thursday.
The event will bring together government and private-sector experts to discuss advanced nuclear technologies and their potential impact on energy costs, grid reliability, economic competitiveness and carbon emissions. The summit also will address safety, regulatory oversight and community engagement.
The gathering follows a joint statement issued by the six New England governors earlier this year supporting the continued operation of the region’s existing nuclear plants while calling for further exploration of advanced nuclear and fusion technologies.
The six states, with support from the National Governors Association, are also examining potential investment models for deploying advanced nuclear and fusion technologies.
Connecticut has increasingly positioned itself to consider additional nuclear generation.
A state law enacted in 2025 established a process allowing municipalities to opt in to hosting advanced nuclear facilities and reaffirmed the potential for new nuclear generation at the Millstone Power Station site in Waterford, the state’s only nuclear power plant. The law also authorized $5 million for an Advanced Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Funding Program.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has since held four public workshops on advanced nuclear technology and plans to hold additional sessions this fall. The agency expects to launch the site-readiness funding program in the coming months.
Another law enacted this year directs the Connecticut Council for Advancing Nuclear Energy Development to examine workforce needs and educational programs required to support the industry.
The regional focus on nuclear power comes as Connecticut is challenging the proposed $67 billion merger of NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, which would place New England’s two operating nuclear plants — Millstone and New Hampshire’s Seabrook Station — under common ownership. State officials have raised concerns that the consolidation could reduce competition and increase electricity costs.
Millstone and Seabrook together provide roughly 20% to 25% of New England’s electricity annually.
