Energy officials from all six New England states gathered in Lowell, Massachusetts, September 30 to examine advanced nuclear power, including how projects might be financed and how communities would participate in decisions.
The National Governors Association convened the one-day summit at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Participants included state representatives and officials from ISO New England, alongside industry, local government and environmental organizations.
According to the association, discussions covered future electricity needs, reactor technologies and potential business models. Other sessions addressed safety, public trust and regional cooperation. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Commissioner David Wright delivered a keynote presentation.
The meeting followed a March 31 joint statement in which the six governors directed state energy agencies to explore advanced nuclear generation and ways to support existing nuclear facilities. That statement called for examining financing structures and federal funding, alongside public-private partnerships.
The governors also said decisions about whether and where to build facilities should rest with individual states and local communities. Their statement identified waste disposal, siting and costs as issues requiring attention from the outset.
In their March statement, the governors said nuclear power met a quarter of the region's electricity needs. They cited an ISO New England forecast projecting electricity consumption to rise more than 40% over 20 years, with winter peak demand expected to double by 2045. Those projections helped frame their call to examine additional generation.
Connecticut's March announcement also described a state law enacted in 2025 that allows municipalities to opt into hosting advanced nuclear facilities through local approval. It directed the state energy department to establish a site-readiness program backed by $5 million in bond authorizations for early planning, technical analysis and community engagement.
The summit took place amid a separate Massachusetts debate over public approval of new nuclear plants. WBUR reported September 30 that Gov. Maura Healey had proposed repealing a 1982 law requiring a statewide vote before construction. Supporters of the law planned a protest outside the conference, the outlet reported.
The NGA announcement describes policy exploration and potential investment approaches. It does not announce a selected reactor site, a construction agreement or a commitment to fund a new plant.
Updated October 2: This article has been expanded with additional sourced context.
Sources:
https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/30/new-england-nuclear-summit-umass-lowell