2026-09-11 · contested story
Debate grows over New Hampshire’s plan to expand nuclear energy - Valley News
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, has made expanding nuclear power a centerpiece of her energy agenda, issuing a March executive order directing the state's Department of Energy to produce a 'road map' by September for getting more nuclear generators running. The push is part of a broader bipartisan effort, as all six New England governors signed a joint statement championing nuclear power as a way to meet rising electricity demand — projected to increase sharply over the next two decades — while lowering costs and reducing emissions. Yet the state legislature has resisted: the House defeated Senate Bill 447, which would have allowed utilities to build and own advanced reactors, and Ayotte herself vetoed one nuclear bill while pledging to negotiate a related measure. Meanwhile, utility experts, environmental advocates, and some lawmakers have openly questioned whether nuclear can deliver the promised ratepayer benefits.
How each side frames it
left
"she vetoed a bill regarding nuclear power because she has questions about its impact"
"despite lingering public wariness of risks"
"so she'll work with the committee to pursue “an outcome that is protective of ratepayers.”"
"candidates discuss the recent false alarm at the Seabrook nuclear plant and whether there should be more oversight of the plant"
center
"“Just because an asset is located in the state of New Hampshire doesn’t mean we buy the energy or benefit from the energy,” said Rep. Kat McGhee, D-Hollis"
"“Nuclear doesn’t care about the weather. It just runs,” he said"
"The House of Representatives voted Thursday against a bill that sought to allow utilities to build and own advanced nuclear reactors."
"Additional nuclear power in our state will not reduce electricity rates, because of how electricity prices are set."
"“I just think it’s part of the answer. It’s carbonless, we need more energy, we have aging facilities, we rely heavily on Canada”"
right
"Nuclear plant owner claims false alarm happened during test, New Hampshire senator demands answers"
"Nuclear plant owner claims false alarm happened during test"
What each side left out
The left left out — covered by the Valley News & New Hampshire Bulletin
- The technical argument that NH is a net energy exporter and new generation would not lower local bills
- The House defeat of SB 447
The left left out — covered by the In Depth NH & Concord Monitor (Granite Geek)
- The renewable-energy alternatives argument (efficiency, solar, wind, battery storage)
The right left out — covered by the Valley News & WCAX 3 & Yahoo! News
- Ayotte's road map executive order and the bipartisan New England governors' statement
- The cost/ratepayer economic debate over whether nuclear lowers NH bills
The right left out — covered by the Yahoo! News & In Depth NH
- Radioactive waste storage concerns and Vermont decommissioning context
The center left out — covered by the Fox News & The Damage Report (WMUR-TV via YouTube)
- The specific Seabrook 'false alarm' incident and senator's demand for answers
What's actually true?
[verified] Gov. Ayotte issued a March executive order directing the state's energy department to develop a nuclear road map by September.
[verified] All six New England governors signed a joint statement championing nuclear power.
[verified] New Hampshire's Seabrook Station is one of only two remaining nuclear plants in New England (the other in Connecticut).
[verified] The two remaining New England nuclear plants provide about 25% of the region's electricity.
[verified] The New Hampshire House defeated Senate Bill 447, which would have allowed utilities to build and own advanced nuclear reactors up to 300 megawatts.
[verified] Over 50% of New England's electricity is generated with natural gas, a major reason NH electric bills rank among the nation's highest.
[verified] New Hampshire is already a net exporter of energy, generating more within its borders than residents and businesses use.
[contested] Advanced small modular reactor (SMR) technology remains hypothetical and unapproved in the U.S.
The narrative clash
Whether expanding nuclear power would lower New Hampshire ratepayers' bills
Left: investing in more nuclear power could lower costs for ratepayers and reduce emissions (paraphrased from Ayotte's executive order as reported)
Right: Additional nuclear power in our state will not reduce electricity rates, because of how electricity prices are set.
Whether new nuclear generation benefits NH locally versus regionally
Left: Additional electricity-generating capacity from new nuclear generation would indeed help New England as a whole meet rising demand (Eversource's Pelkowski)
Right: New Hampshire ratepayers, who would likely finance it, would not see a direct, local benefit, although there would be a regional one.
12 sources analyzed
The Boston Globe Valley News Fox News The Damage Report NHPR New Hampshire Bulletin In Depth NH WCAX 3 Concord Monitor Yahoo! Search Concord Monitor Seacoast Online