Massachusetts Roadmap for Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy

Massachusetts stands at the forefront of clean energy innovation, with a long-standing legacy in nuclear research and academic leadership. Building on this foundation, the Commonwealth is poised to lead the development of a regional ecosystem for advanced nuclear and fusion energy technologies. The Massachusetts Roadmap for Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy outlines a strategic vision for state leadership across policy, infrastructure, workforce development and public engagement.

By assessing current capabilities, identifying gaps and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, government and communities, the Roadmap aims to position Massachusetts as a national and global leader in the transition to clean, advanced energy systems.

The Roadmap is led by UMass Lowell's Sukesh Aghara, professor and director of the Nuclear Engineering and Science program, with support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Roadmap Efforts.

Discussion Series

Building on the extensive stakeholder engagement conducted over the past several months, UMass Lowell and its partners will host a series of public discussions as part of the Massachusetts Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap initiative.

The stakeholder process has surfaced a number of important themes—including safety, waste management, cost, workforce readiness and public engagement. This discussion series is intended to continue that dialogue by exploring these topics in greater depth and from multiple perspectives. The discussions will include participation from experts in academia, industry, government and community organizations.

Discussion 1 - Nuclear and Fusion Ecosystem - Workforce, Innovation and Supply Chain

• What: A safe and sustainable nuclear future depends on a strong and coordinated ecosystem. This session explores workforce development across engineering, operations, and skilled trades, alongside innovation and supply chain opportunities. Panelists will highlight Massachusetts’ existing strengths, identify gaps and discuss how education, industry and small businesses can support a visible, connected and resilient nuclear and fusion ecosystem.

Discussion 2 - Technology, Markets and Regulatory Environment

• What: This session examines the current state and readiness of advanced nuclear fission and fusion technologies within the context of energy markets and regulatory frameworks. Discussions will explore technology maturity, cost and timeline considerations, and the role of ISO-New England markets, federal and state regulation, and policy alignment in shaping how these technologies may be evaluated in Massachusetts.

Discussion 3 - Safety, Spent Fuel, Public Trust and Community Engagement

• What: This session focuses on the key public and environmental considerations surrounding advanced nuclear and fusion, including spent fuel management, radiation exposure, and accident risk. Panelists will discuss evolving safety approaches, lessons from existing operations, and how collaborative, community-centered siting and transparent engagement can support informed dialogue and long-term public trust in Massachusetts.

Missed any of the discussions? If you were unable to attend, you can view the recordings on the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy YouTube Channel.

Preliminary Findings Webinars

These webinars shared an overview of the draft Massachusetts (MA) Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap and highlighted key themes emerging from the stakeholder engagement process. These one-hour sessions presented preliminary findings, summarized stakeholder input, and outlined considerations shaping the roadmap, along with next steps toward finalizing recommendations.

The sessions were held on March 3 and March 6, 2026.

Missed a Session?

If you were unable to attend, you can view the materials below.

• MA Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Roadmap Preliminary Findings Slides (pdf)