The basics:

• Rowan University hosts nuclear energy conference June 9
• Leaders will discuss small modular reactors, potential fourth Salem reactor
• Members of Sherrill Nuclear Policy Task Force to participate
• Researchers will present findings on nuclear expansion in New Jersey

State policymakers, utility executives and nuclear industry leaders will gather at Rowan University June 9 to examine proposals for expanding New Jersey’s nuclear energy capacity, including a fourth reactor at the Salem nuclear complex and small modular reactors at the former Oyster Creek site.

The conference is hosted by the Rowan Energy Collaborative and the Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy. The event will bring together four members of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s newly appointed Nuclear Policy Task Force to discuss the fiscal, regulatory and environmental challenges associated with developing new nuclear generation to meet rising electricity demand.

Featured speakers include:

• Christine Guhl-Sadovy, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities president and task force co-chair
• Ed Potosnak, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection commissioner 
• Evan Weiss, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO
• Patrick O’Brien, Holtec director of government affairs and communications
  • Holtec is pursuing plans to build SMRs at Oyster Creek in Ocean County

The event will also feature Sen. John Burzichelli, D-3rd District, sponsor of legislation designed to encourage new nuclear development, and James Wyble III of Westinghouse, whose company is promoting its AP1000 reactor design for a potential fourth reactor at the Salem County nuclear complex.

Additional participants include:

• Former Senate President Steve Sweeney
• Victor Ibarra, Clean Air Task Force
• Daniel Cosner, president of the Southern New Jersey Building Trades and Construction Council
• Ken Robell, Salem Community College
• Erick Ford, New Jersey Energy Policy Coalition
• Representatives from PSEG Nuclear, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development and IBEW Local 94

Timely gathering

Organizers say the conference comes as state leaders grapple with rising electricity demand and the need for reliable, carbon-free power generation.

“Nuclear energy must be part of the solution if we are serious about driving down greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously supporting electrification, advanced manufacturing, growing data infrastructure, and long-term economic growth,” said Yolanda Mack, associate dean for industry partnerships and workforce development at Rowan’s College of Engineering. “Nuclear is one of the few carbon-free energy sources that can provide reliable generation at the scale this moment requires.”

The conference will also feature preliminary findings from a Rowan-led research project examining the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible ways to expand nuclear generation in New Jersey. Researchers from engineering, economics, public policy, environmental science and business disciplines will present early results from the study, which was funded through the New Jersey State Policy Lab.

“Through ROWEC and the Sweeney Center, Rowan University has been putting increasing emphasis on energy policy issues, recognizing the critical importance to New Jersey’s competitiveness of increasing the state’s energy supply in the most affordable and environmentally responsible manner,” said Mark Magyar, director of the Sweeney Center. Magyar added that the June 9 gathering will mark the center’s sixth major energy conference in the past three years.

The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Rowan University’s Chamberlain Student Center in Glassboro. Rowan President Ali Houshmand and Chancellor Anthony Lowman are scheduled to deliver opening remarks.