New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday ordered the state’s power authority to develop an advanced nuclear power plant in upstate New York, marking the first new nuclear facility planned in the state in decades.
Hochul said the New York Power Authority will develop at least one nuclear energy facility with a minimum capacity of one gigawatt of electricity. The addition would boost the state’s total nuclear capacity to about 4.3 gigawatts.
Speaking at the Niagara County Power Project, the Democratic governor said developing nuclear power is essential for maintaining reliable electricity as the state transitions away from fossil fuels and works to attract energy-intensive manufacturers.
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Hochul emphasized safety improvements in modern nuclear technology, saying: “This is not your grandparents’ nuclear reactor. The new plan will be a model of 21st-century nuclear design with safety at the forefront.”
Nuclear power has gained renewed support from governments and corporations seeking carbon-free electricity sources that operate around the clock, addressing limitations of wind and solar energy. Major technology companies, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, have recently invested in nuclear projects.
New York operates three nuclear plants that generate roughly 20% of the state’s electricity. The most recent nuclear facility was completed in 1989.
Officials estimate the project will generate 1,600 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent positions. The Nine Mile Point nuclear plant in Oswego is among the potential locations where Constellation Energy has proposed adding a new reactor.
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Randy Wolken of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York praised the initiative as “a pivot point for the future” of state manufacturing, noting planned expansions like Micron Technology’s semiconductor facilities.
However, Alfred Meyer from Physicians for Social Responsibility’s New York chapter opposed the plan, describing nuclear power as “very slow, expensive and dangerous.”
Recent nuclear construction has faced significant cost overruns. Georgia’s two newest reactors, completed last year, cost $35 billion — double the original projections.
Democratic State Senator Liz Krueger questioned whether nuclear represents “the most cost-effective use of our clean energy dollars.”
Environmental groups are expected to challenge the nuclear initiative, preferring expanded wind and solar development.
President Donald Trump has issued executive orders to accelerate nuclear approvals. Hochul said she has urged Trump to streamline federal licensing to reduce the typical decade-long permitting process.
Read: Trump Administration Wants The US To Be ‘The Leader In Nuclear Energy’
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