New Hampshire Senate passes bill aimed at enabling next generation of nuclear power

Laying the groundwork for a future of cutting-edge nuclear power, the New Hampshire Senate passed legislation Thursday aimed at lowering the cost of energy in the decades to come.Senators said the legislation could one day enable the next generation of nuclear power to be built in the Granite State.”This legislation provides tools to address that challenge,” said state Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua. “It permits utilities to issue requests for proposals for multiyear energy agreements, and it allows for the proposals to include advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular and next-generation reactors, through 2040.”The amended version of the bill also lifts the annual cap for low- to moderate-income community solar projects from 6 to 18 megawatts. It also enables multiyear power purchase agreements, which drew some opposition.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<”As consumers, we can change suppliers after a year or maybe two, while these long-term power purchase agreements mean if the state enters into a bad deal, ratepayers will be stuck for decades,” said state Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua.New Hampshire hasn’t allowed utilities to own power generation sources for decades, and one senator called the reversal in the bill a surprising turn of events.”But we’ve had a surprising turn of events in technology, as well,” said state Sen. David Watters, D-Dover. “Small modular reactors, which we probably won’t see for maybe another five to 10 years, but they are coming. They are being manufactured, and it could be a great transition for our energy supply, a great diversification from them and a great distribution of them, as well.”