TITLE XII
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 162-B
PEACEFUL USES OF ATOMIC ENERGY

Section 162-B:4

    162-B:4 Coordination of Studies and Development Activities; Position Established. –
I. The commissioner of the department of energy or a designee from within the department shall be the senior adviser to the governor with respect to the development and regulatory activities of the state government relating to the industrial and commercial uses of nuclear energy; and as deputy of the governor in matters relating to nuclear energy, including participation in the activities of any committee formed by the New England states to represent their interest in such matters and also cooperation with other states and with the government of the United States.
II. To assist the commissioner of the department of energy in his or her role as senior adviser to the governor with respect to the development and regulatory activities of the state government relating to the industrial and commercial uses of nuclear energy, the position of coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities is established in the department of energy, office of energy innovation.

[Paragraph III effective until September 13, 2026; see also paragraph III set out below.]


III. The coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities shall have the duty to coordinate and produce the reports required by RSA 162-B:3, as well as coordinate the studies conducted, and the recommendations and proposals made, in this state with like activities in New England and other states and with the policies and regulations of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

[Paragraph III effective September 13, 2026; see also paragraph III set out above.]


III. The coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities shall have the duty to coordinate and produce the reports required by RSA 162-B:3, as well as coordinate the studies conducted, and the recommendations and proposals made, in this state with like activities in New England and other states and with the policies and regulations of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These activities may include the management of funding and oversight of nuclear incentive programs, such as those described by RSA 374-F:11, as well as outreach programs to inform and educate the public, particularly regarding safety.
IV. All departments and agencies of the state government are directed to keep the coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities fully and currently informed as to their activities relating to nuclear energy. No administrative rule or amendment to a rule applying specifically to a nuclear energy matter shall be adopted under RSA 541-A until it has been submitted to the coordinator, unless the governor declares it an emergency need.
V. The coordinator of nuclear development and regulatory activities shall keep the commissioner of the department of energy, the governor and council, and the several interested departments and agencies informed at least biennially as to private and public activities affecting nuclear industrial development and shall enlist their cooperation in taking action to further such development as is consistent with the health, safety, and general welfare of this state.

Source. 1955, 281:4. 1973, 140:39, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. 2017, 156:14, II, eff. July 1, 2017. 2024, 341:4, eff. Aug. 2, 2024. 2025, 286:4, eff. Sept. 30, 2025. 2026, 332:6, eff. Sept. 13, 2026.