Christie says new state nuclear plant should be considered

Gov. Christie said today the state should consider a new nuclear plant. The state’s Oyster Creek nuclear power plant is slated to close in 2019, 10 years ahead of schedule. A new plant could fill that void.

At a news conference where he addressed the state’s future of energy generation, Christie also discussed changes to the state’s energy blueprint, which include shifting solar energy focus to commercial buildings, brownfields and land fills, as the Star-Ledger reports.

Despite initial approval, Christie says plans for a new nuclear site are to be considered an option, but will require a full application and approval process.

Christie’s approval follows PSEG’s announcement yesterday that its two Salem nuclear power plants qualify for license renewals, as NewsWorks partner N.J. Spotlight reports. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is set to make the final decision later this month.