Following a directive in the June Special Session Public Act 17-3,1 Executive Order 59,2 and 2017 Comprehensive Energy Strategy,3 Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) and the Public Utilities Regulator Authority (“PURA”) have launched a joint effort to understand the role of a diverse set of zero- emissions generation resources in meeting Connecticut’s carbon reduction targets. Of particular interest is the role of the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant (“Millstone”) in meeting those targets.
The purpose of this report is to examine whether Connecticut’s legislated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals can be achieved without the Millstone nuclear units. Although there is no economic justification available in the public domain for either of the Millstone units to retire prior to expiration of the units’ current operating licenses,4 Dominion’s posturing regarding Millstone’s future may create concern among Connecticut decision-makers that early retirement would preclude achievement of Connecticut’s carbon reduction goals. In fact, this is not the case.
