The company that owns New Jersey's three nuclear power plants said Wednesday it will seek federal approval to operate them for another 20 years. The move comes as New Jersey makes a strong push to become the East Coast leader in offshore wind. But the three power plants run by PSEG Nuclear LLC provide nearly half of New Jersey's electricity, and a licensing extension represents a potential hedge against not enough wind projects being available to meet the state's needs.
The company said it has notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to seek renewed licenses for the Salem Generating Station Units 1 and 2, and the Hope Creek Generating Station. All are located on one site on Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County. It plans to file the extension request in the second quarter of 2027 but needed to alert the commission far in advance to allow it to prepare for the review.
Nuclear is a subsidiary of Newark, New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group.