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Panel strongly opposes repealing 1982 voter referendum requirement on new nuclear reactors
Summary
Section 45 would repeal the 1982 statute requiring voter approval before siting new nuclear reactors. Dozens of public witnesses — environmental groups, local residents and civic organizations — urged the committee to preserve the ballot requirement, citing safety, radioactive waste management and the need for public review and approval.
BOSTON — Section 45 of the proposed Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act drew sustained public opposition. The provision would repeal Chapter 503 (1982), which requires voter approval before construction and operation of new nuclear power reactors in Massachusetts.
Speakers from civic and environmental groups, local residents and grassroots coalitions argued the referendum is a democratic safeguard that should remain in place. They said a statewide ballot requirement preserves public oversight over major siting and radioactive waste decisions, and warned that new small modular reactor projects remain unproven economically and pose waste‑management and local health risks.
Opponents pointed to international and U.S. examples — Chernobyl, Fukushima and multi‑billion‑dollar cost overruns at recent reactor projects elsewhere — as reasons for caution. Witnesses also noted the unresolved national policy for long‑term radioactive waste disposal and urged the legislature not to remove the public’s right to a direct vote on new nuclear projects.
Proponents of repealing the ballot requirement argued the state should retain optional planning authority to evaluate modern nuclear technologies as part of a broad resource procurement toolbox. Several committee members asked administration and advocates to submit technical briefs on economics, waste management and siting as the committee considers the issue further.
No committee action was taken on Section 45 during the hearing.
