NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka is one of several officials who will serve on Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Nuclear Task Force.
The Nuclear Task Force, established under Executive Order 2 and announced last week when the governor lifted a key permitting hurdle that created a de facto moratorium on new nuclear power in New Jersey, convenes leaders from government, industry, the environment and labor.
The goal of the task force is to ensure New Jersey is ready to capture the benefits of new nuclear power, while maintaining the highest standards of public safety and transparency, Sherrill said in a statement.
Prior to joining NJBIA in 2014, Siekerka served as a deputy commissioner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“I look forward to working with this impressive collective and thank Governor Sherrill for once again providing the business community a seat at the table as we all work together to find comprehensive solutions to close the gap between energy supply and demand in New Jersey,” Siekerka said.
The group is expected to focus on five areas: Financing, Supply Chains and Technology Development, Workforce Growth and Training, Regulatory and Permitting Framework, and Public Trust and Confidence.
Other members named to the Sherrill administration’s Nuclear Task Force include:
- Elizabeth Noll, Senior Strategist for Energy, Office of the Governor, Co-Chair
- President Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Co-Chair
- Colin Emerle, Senior Counsel, Office of the Governor, Counsel to Task Force
- Commissioner Ed Potosnak, Department of Environmental Protection
- Evan Weiss, CEO Economic Development Authority
- General Yvonne Mays, Department of Military Affairs
- Aaron Binder, State Treasurer
- Charles McFeaters, President and Chief Nuclear Officer, PSEG Nuclear
- Patrick O’Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, Holtec
- Joseph Egan, New Jersey State Electrical Workers Construction Division Association President
- Mike Hellstrom, Vice President and Eastern Region Manager, LIUNA
- Marion Abdou, Former Commissioner at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- Dr. Matthew McKinzie, Senior Director, Data & Policy Analysis, Natural Resources Defense Council
