Plans for New Nuclear Power Plant
In Upstate NY Wins Gov’s Support
LEWISTON, NY—At an appearance at the Niagara County Power Project here on Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she has directed the New York Power Authority to develop and construct at least one zero emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York.
NYPA, in coordination with the Department of Public Service, will seek to develop at least one new nuclear energy facility with a combined capacity of no less than one gigawatt of electricity, either alone or in partnership with private entities, to support the state’s electric grid, state officials said. If approved, it would be the first major U.S. nuclear-power facility undertaken in more than 15 years.
NYPA will immediately begin evaluation of technologies, business models and locations for this first nuclear power plant and will secure the key partnerships needed for the project. This process will include site and technology feasibility assessments as well as consideration of financing options in coordination with the forthcoming studies included in the master plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and DPS.
Candidate locations will be assessed for suitability based on public safety, strength of community support, compatibility with existing infrastructure as well as skilled labor and land availability.
“We must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,” Gov. Hochul said. “I am calling on the New York Power Authority to lead a critical energy initiative, and just as it is doing with the expedited buildout of renewable energy and transmission, it will now safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll praised the action to deliver clean nuclear power in the state. He was joined by business and building trade organizations that also expressed their support for the nuclear power plant project. Among the groups are the New York State AFL-CIO, the New York State Building Trades, the Utility Workers Union of America, the Laborers International Union and the Business Council of New York State.
The state is also lending ongoing financial support to Constellation to pursue an early site permitting process for a new project at its Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center and will allow for future collaboration with other states and Ontario, building on regional momentum to strengthen nuclear supply chains, sharing best practices and supporting the responsible deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
In January, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) joined Constellation on a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the company’s efforts to seek an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for one or more advanced nuclear reactors at the Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center in Oswego, NY.
Published: June 25, 2025