This week, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) unanimously voted to extend the Zero Emission Certificates (ZECs) for New Jersey’s three nuclear power plants, Hope Creek and Salem 1 and 2, for an additional three years.

“Were these plants to close, we would lose the single largest sources of the state’s clean energy supply, and be forced to make up that supply with sources such as fossil fuels,” said Joseph Fiordaliso, the president of the board.

New Jersey political leaders, including the legislature and Gov. Phil Murphy, established the ZECs for nuclear power in 2018. The 2018 legislative language cited concern about the potential “abrupt” retirement of nuclear power capacity in the state.

“We are pleased with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ unanimous decision to extend the ZECs at the current rate to help support New Jersey’s largest supply of carbon-free electricity,” PSEG said in a released. “The BPU’s actions today helped the environment, saved jobs and avoided higher energy costs. We appreciate the BPU’s detailed review and consideration of PSEG Nuclear’s ZEC applications.”

Together, Salem and Hope Creek provide nearly half of New Jersey’s total electricity and 90 percent of its carbon-free power.