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.

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

• When: June 4, 2026 from Noon-3 p.m.
• Where: The UMass Club, Boston, Massachusetts
• 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.

Missed the discussion? If you were unable to attend, you can view the recording: Video: Massachusetts Roadmap for Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy - Nuclear & Fusion Ecosystem Discussion.

Discussion 2 - Technology, Markets and Regulatory Environment

• When: June 15, 2026 from Noon-3 p.m.
• Where: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
• 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

• When: July 15, 2026 from Noon-3 p.m.
• Where: UMass Lowell - Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, Lowell, Massachusetts
• 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)

Stakeholder Engagement Sessions

As part of the Massachusetts Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap, nine stakeholder engagement sessions were successfully completed between December 2025 and January 2026. Each session convened a distinct stakeholder group to enable focused dialogue on key issues including policy and regulation, infrastructure and grid integration, workforce development, research and innovation, financing, and community priorities.

Across these sessions, participants shared insights, identified opportunities and challenges, and provided feedback that is directly informing the development of the draft roadmap and its recommendations.

Stakeholder groups engaged included:

• Community, equity, and environmental organizations
• Large energy customers
• Technology developers, startups, and industry
• Local, state, and regional governments and regulatory bodies
• Universities and research institutions
• Community colleges and trade schools
• Financial and investment community
• Labor unions and workforce and trade associations
• Utilities, ISO-New England, and energy companies

For those unable to attend a session, written comments and feedback were also accepted through the public MA Roadmap for Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy feedback form and are being incorporated alongside session input.

Informational Sessions

The informational sessions provided an overview of the Massachusetts Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap and explained how stakeholders could participate in shaping it. These one-hour sessions introduced the roadmap’s objectives, background, and engagement process, offering a preview of the stakeholder listening sessions and opportunities to get involved in this statewide effort to advance clean, safe, and innovative energy technologies.

The sessions were held on November 18, November 20, December 2 and December 10, 2025.

Missed a Session?

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

• MA Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap Informational Session Slide Deck (pdf)
• Watch the MA Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap Informational Session Recording on YouTube