New Hampshire Lawmakers Block Nuclear Reactor Plan Over Ratepayer Risk Fight
New Hampshire lawmakers blocked a bill that would have let utilities own advanced nuclear reactors, but the vote may have intensified, not ended, the state’s energy fight.
According to New Hampshire Bulletin, the House rejected Senate Bill 447 after critics warned utilities could regain too much market power and expose ratepayers to major risks. Supporters had pitched the proposal as a way to prepare for future energy demand and expand nuclear options.
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The conflict centered on whether utility-owned advanced reactors, some up to 300 megawatts, represent innovation or a costly rollback of market competition.
The bill had already cleared the Senate, which raised the stakes of the House rejection and fueled questions about whether New Hampshire is slowing advanced nuclear development as other states move ahead.
Opponents pointed to monopoly concerns and possible cost overruns. Supporters argued the technology could help long-term grid reliability.
The defeat may kill this version of the proposal, but the broader battle over nuclear’s role in New Hampshire appears far from over.
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