TOMS RIVER, NJ — State Senator Joe Pennacchio is calling for New Jersey officials to investigate the possibility of restarting or replacing the dormant Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Lacey Township, criticizing the state’s financial commitments to defunct offshore wind projects while overlooking existing nuclear infrastructure.

Oyster Creek, once responsible for generating up to 10% of New Jersey’s electricity, was shut down in 2018 after its then-owner, Exelon, opted not to invest an estimated $800 million in environmental upgrades, including a cooling tower required by updated standards. The plant is now owned by Holtec International.

Pennacchio pointed to the state’s previous billion-dollar investment in the Orsted offshore wind project, which was ultimately canceled without deli

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