This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. 

As electricity demand grows and rate pressures mount, nuclear energy is once again drawing attention in Annapolis. Long a steady source of carbon-free power, nuclear is increasingly viewed as a potential pillar of Maryland’s energy future. This deep dive reviews the state’s nuclear history, recent legislative developments, and what may lie ahead as new reactor technologies approach deployment.

A Brief History and Current Status of Nuclear Energy

Maryland’s nuclear experience centers on a single facility: the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Calvert County. Commissioned between 1975 and 1977, the two-reactor facility remains the state’s only nuclear station and one of its most reliable power producers. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of mid-2025 nuclear generation ranked second statewide at roughly 1.24 million megawatt-hours (MWh)—just behind natural gas at 1.5 million MWh. Hydroelectric (263,000 MWh) and coal (242,000 MWh) trailed far behind, underscoring nuclear’s outsize contribution.

Regionally, Maryland’s reliance on nuclear power exceeds that of most neighboring states. Virginia, with two nuclear plants, generated approximately 2.6 million MWh from nuclear power compared to 6 million MWh from natural gas, while Pennsylvania produced 6.3 million MWh of nuclear power and 13.5 million MWh from natural gas. Though those states produce more electricity overall, Maryland’s share of in-state generation from nuclear ranks among the highest in the Mid-Atlantic, a distinction driven entirely by Calvert Cliffs’ consistent performance.

The Next Generation Energy Act of 2025

The 2025 legislative session—dubbed Maryland’s “Session of Energy”—brought sweeping policy updates through the Next Generation Energy Act (HB 1035/SB 937). The Act codifies that it is now state policy to encourage nuclear power development as part of Maryland’s clean-energy strategy. It directs the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Public Service Commission (PSC), and Department of Natural Resources to pursue cooperative cost-sharing agreements with federal and regional partners for potential new nuclear generation.

A major procedural innovation in the Act is the creation of an expedited permitting track for “dispatchable energy” projects, explicitly including nuclear reactors. Qualifying projects can seek a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) decision in roughly nine to ten months—significantly shorter than the multiyear reviews typical for large power projects. The Act also empowers the PSC to oversee competitive application rounds and consider long-term pricing mechanisms, allowing Maryland to assess nuclear as one piece of a broader reliability and decarbonization framework.

Next Generation Energy Act Fiscal Note

Small Modular Reactors: What They Are and Maryland’s Outlook

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are compact, factory-fabricated nuclear systems—typically under 300 megawatts—that can be assembled on-site and scaled to local demand. Their modularity promises lower construction risk, and many employ passive safety systems that automatically shut down and cool without external power. The Next Generation Energy Act tasks MEA with exploring SMR siting on or near federal properties, such as military installations, that could host reactors serving both base and grid needs.

Nationally, early SMR projects—such as those proposed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and in Ontario, Canada—remain in the licensing phase, with estimated costs near $6 billion for a 300 MW unit. Developers expect costs to decline as designs mature and supply chains scale. For Maryland, realizing an SMR project would likely require substantial investment and coordination with federal partners, but the state’s streamlined permitting and regional planning efforts have positioned it to move quickly when the technology becomes viable.

Conclusion

Nuclear power has quietly supplied Maryland with steady, carbon-free electricity for half a century, and state leaders are now revisiting its potential role in a diversified, resilient energy portfolio. Through the Next Generation Energy Act, Maryland has laid the groundwork to evaluate next-generation nuclear options—including SMRs—without committing to specific projects. While significant technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles remain, the state’s proactive policy framework ensures that, should nuclear innovation fulfill its promise, Maryland will be ready to capture its benefits for decades to come.