Bill Spellane presenting at the NH DOE Nuclear Energy Symposium
StarCube Happy Hour hosted after Day 2 of the Symposium
Last month, the New Hampshire Department of Energy hosted a three-day Nuclear Energy Symposium that brought together state leaders, energy experts, utilities, community organizations, and members of the public to talk about the future of nuclear energy in New Hampshire.
For those of us who have been working in this space, it was encouraging to see the level of engagement and seriousness around the topic.
There is growing recognition that New Hampshire and New England need more power. Electricity demand is rising. Prices remain high. Businesses want confidence that reliable, affordable energy will be available for decades to come.
The new data center in Lowell, MA. Turns out ChatGPT has a utility bill. Photo Credits: Boston Globe
Every electric utility watching new EV and Heat Pump demand projections.
Nuclear is back in the conversation.
The symposium covered a wide range of topics.
The New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security walked through emergency preparedness and Seabrook Station's strong safety and operational record.
Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis and The Accion Group discussed the protections already in place for ratepayers and the role of oversight in future energy decisions.
The economics of new nuclear were also front and center. While projects like Vogtle Units 3 and 4 have faced well-known construction challenges, the conversation in New England looks different. Given our region's high and projected electricity prices, new nuclear may compare more favorably than many people realize.
Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in Seabrook, NH. Photo Credits: Nuclear Newswire
MIT 6MW reactor in downtown Cambridge, MA. Operational since 1958. Photo: From Wikipedia, BX-u99, CC BY-SA 4.0
There was also healthy debate. During public comment, Doug Bogen of the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League noted that New England remains a long way from its long-term sustainability and clean energy goals.
Clifton Below of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire spoke about the potential role nuclear could play in supporting community power members and improving long-term affordability.
And Lucy Lange, Commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, made an important point that resonated throughout the symposium: businesses care deeply about energy costs. Companies looking to expand or relocate need confidence that reliable and affordable power will be available for decades to come.
The conversation isn't happening only inside conference rooms.
WMUR recently highlighted New Hampshire's growing interest in next-generation nuclear power, a sign that this issue is increasingly moving into the public conversation. Watch the segment here: New Hampshire's next-generation nuclear power (WMUR).
The state is taking the issue seriously as well. The Department of Energy is currently developing a preliminary report for Governor Kelly Ayotte, due in September 2026, with a final report scheduled for March 2028. Public comments remain open, and the process is still underway.
The conversation has reached the Governor’s office. Photo Credits: Reuters
That's a good thing.
Big decisions about energy deserve thoughtful debate.
At StarCube, we came away from the symposium optimistic.
Not because all the answers are known, but because New Hampshire is asking the right questions.
How do we keep energy affordable?
How do we support economic growth?
How do we build the infrastructure needed for the next generation of industry and innovation?
Those are important questions, and they require builders.
The future will need more energy, not less.
New Hampshire has an opportunity to help shape that future.
We're excited to keep building.
Adapted from a recent StarCube newsletter by Bill Spellane. Edited by Shayla Karo.
The conversations around New Hampshire's future don't end here. They'll continue at Freedom Summit this August.
Freedom Summit
August 20–21, 2026
Manchester, New Hampshire
🧬 Day 1: Bio Innovation
Keynote: Niklas Anzinger — Exit, Voice, and Loyalty in FDA Modernization
Headline Address: Governor Kelly Ayotte — A conversation on New Hampshire's future and the role innovation can play in shaping it.
Featured speakers: Kristen Fortney, Nina Tandon, José Navarro-Betancourt, Noah Keating, Yiwei She, Siranush Babakhanova, and Ian Huyett.
🚀 Day 2: Built Futures
Opening Keynote: Dean Kamen — Inventor, entrepreneur, and founder of FIRST.
Closing Keynote: Jeremy Hitchcock, Rae Lambert, Ryan Lambert, and Benjamin Sachs unveiling the vision for Freedom Village.
Featured speakers: Vikram Mansharamani, Keith Ammon, Bill Spellane, Pardha Ponugoti, and Jack Potvin.
🤝 Interested in sponsoring Freedom Summit? This is a grassroots event built by the community. Sponsors help make everything beyond the talks possible—from coffee and lunch to attendee experiences and the closing party. If you or your organization believes in building New Hampshire's innovation ecosystem, we'd love to have you involved.