On the campaign trail, Kelly Ayotte championed nuclear energy. Now, a group of House Republicans are backing her quest to expand it in New Hampshire.

Ten legislators – including state Rep. Keith Ammon, whe represents Lyndeborough -- signed on to a piece of preliminary legislation “declaring the development of advanced nuclear energy technology to be in the best interest of the state of New Hampshire and the United States.”

Ayotte, now the governor-elect, could have a chance to make strides toward nuclear energy with a newly expanded Republican majority in the House of Representatives and a supermajority in the Senate.

“This isn't an immediate play, right?” Ayotte said in August. “But we have to position New Hampshire for these new technologies. If we don't think ahead and think forward, then we'll be behind as these newer technologies continue to develop.”

Nuclear power has emerged as a potential option to aid the energy transition; experts say it doesn’t directly produce carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions. During her campaign, Ayotte proposed adding a small-modular nuclear reactor in the North Country, which she said would create jobs and stimulate the region’s economy. New Hampshire currently has one nuclear plant, in Seabrook.

On top of nuclear power, Ayotte favors an “all of the above” energy strategy to reduce costs, which would include traditional methods like natural gas and renewable forms like wind and solar energy.

One form of wind power may not come to pass, however. A piece of legislation that’s been proposed by Republican Rep. Douglas Thomas could keep New Hampshire from participating in any offshore wind efforts in the Gulf of Maine. Democrats argue that New Hampshire should be at the table to contribute and reap the benefits of proposals already in the works, while Republicans, including Ayotte, have raised concerns over safety, costs and how it’d affect the state’s fishermen and their livelihood.

“I'm open to wind power,” Ayotte said in August. “I just think that particular project is not a return on investment, does not make sense, and it also will harm our fisheries.”

Other energy updates

Lawmakers have filed at least 15 pieces of potential legislation regarding energy and the environment, with many coming in after last week’s election.

One of these would add small-scale nuclear energy, renewable energy and fuel diversity to New Hampshire’s 10-year strategy, which is up for review this year. Others would affect funding and infrastructure for electric vehicles and make other changes to the state’s energy makeup and priorities.

A few other legislation filings focus on environmental regulations, including accountability for pollution caused by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), working on wastewater infrastructure and prohibiting yard waste disposal into surface water.

Charlotte Matherly is the State House reporter for the Concord Monitor and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript in partnership with Report for America. Follow her on X at @charmatherly, or send her an email at cmatherly@cmonitor.com.