H/T to P.S.
The region’s governors acknowledge the limits of ‘renewable’ energy.
By Andrew Fowler April 9, 2026 4:49 pm ET
WSJ Opinion: Hits and Misses of the Week
A bipartisan coalition of all six New England governors has reached a
conclusion that until recently would have been politically unthinkable:
Renewable energy alone can’t deliver the affordable, reliable power the
region needs. "Wait! What?? You don't say"_ Irish
In a March 31 joint statement, the governors called for a “diverse
energy strategy,” identifying nuclear power as essential to meet growing
demand and safeguard the region’s “collective energy future.” The shift
reflects a broader trend: Energy policy is no longer only about
emissions targets. It’s increasingly about cost and reliability.
Electricity prices in the region today are among the highest in the
country. Natural gas last year accounted for 55% of generation in the
region and nuclear for 25%. New England has invested heavily in
renewable energy, particularly offshore wind and solar. Renewables last
year accounted for 13% of total generation. By nature, they’re
intermittent and risk prolonged blackouts.
Against this backdrop, nuclear energy is re-emerging as a practical
solution. Nuclear power is consistent and is already a major source of
clean energy in the U.S., preventing hundreds of millions of metric tons
of emissions annually.
In New England, nuclear facilities such as Connecticut’s Millstone Power
Station help maintain grid stability, powering roughly two million
homes. Yet regulatory barriers have long limited the development of new
nuclear capacity.
That is beginning to change. Public opinion is shifting, and
policymakers increasingly recognize that meeting climate goals without
reliable baseload power is unrealistic. A 2026 analysis from regional
think tanks, including my own, estimates that meeting the region’s
energy needs with nuclear power would cost roughly $415 billion, about
half the cost of a renewable-heavy system, while reducing emissions by
92% by 2050.
Other countries offer practical lessons. France generates about 70% of
its electricity from nuclear power, maintaining low emissions while
exporting energy to neighboring nations. By contrast, European systems
that rely heavily on intermittent renewables have faced higher costs and
reliability challenges.
The conclusion isn’t that we should abandon renewables—it’s that they
can’t stand alone. Energy policy requires balance. Wind and solar can
help reduce emissions, but without complementary investments in sources
like nuclear, the region risks higher costs and greater instability.
As electricity demand rises, driven by data centers and advanced
manufacturing, regions that can deliver reliable, affordable power will
also have a competitive advantage. New England will fall behind if it
can’t meet demand.
If affordability is a priority, policymakers must focus on scaling up
energy sources that work. Nuclear energy represents an area of alignment
across political lines. Policymakers can reduce barriers to nuclear
development, encourage investment and build an energy system that is
cleaner, more reliable and affordable.
A region’s energy policy will be judged by whether the lights stay on
and whether people can afford the bill.
