S 683

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to become the sole state agency responsible for approving sites for small modular nuclear reactors (defined as reactors with 300 megawatts or less capacity), but limits such approvals to municipalities that have previously hosted nuclear energy facilities. The legislation grants BPU's site approval authority the power to override local municipal and county decisions, while still requiring compliance with other state regulations like construction codes and environmental laws. Additionally, the bill permits operators of these small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site until a federal repository is developed, provided the storage meets Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety standards, and directs the BPU to develop financial incentives to support the construction of these facilities in New Jersey.