New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the state will pursue an ambitious new effort to construct a major nuclear power plant designed to generate at least one gigawatt of electricity.
Speaking at a press conference, Governor Hochul emphasized the critical role nuclear energy plays in the state’s transition away from fossil fuels. “If you take nuclear off the table, you have to burn more fossil fuels,” she explained. “That’s not going to work for us here in New York.”
Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA)—the state-run entity currently operating about two dozen power plants, notably dams and gas turbines—to begin developing plans and partnerships to bring the project to fruition. Details such as location and reactor design have not yet been finalized.
The state intends to collaborate closely with private-sector partners in developing the facility, significantly financing its construction and committing to purchasing the power generated. Early site evaluations are ongoing, including consideration of three currently operating nuclear facilities located in upstate New York, all owned by Constellation Energy. Constellation has previously attracted sizable deals in the nuclear industry, including partnerships with major tech companies such as Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon.
Microsoft recently embarked on a $1.8 billion project to reopen a reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, Meta is purchasing clean-energy credits from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois in a multibillion-dollar deal, and Amazon has signed an agreement for nearly two gigawatts of nuclear power in Pennsylvania.
Despite this renewed momentum, the domestic nuclear industry continues to face considerable challenges. No large-scale nuclear power plant has begun construction in the United States in the past 15 years, reflecting an industry wary after widespread budget and schedule overruns in prior projects. Advocates for smaller, modular reactors argue that leveraging mass manufacturing could tackle the traditional issues of cost overruns and prolonged timelines. However, this new generation of nuclear technology remains untested commercially in the U.S.
Fearful of bureaucratic delays, Governor Hochul warned that the success of New York’s nuclear ambitions would hinge on crucial federal regulatory and permitting reforms. “The barriers are in Washington,” she said, emphasizing the federal government’s decisive role in streamlining approvals for ambitious projects like this one.
Nuclear power has recently regained attention from politicians across party lines and prominent data companies seeking reliable power sources. This renewed interest, driven by shared concerns over climate goals and energy security, is fueling a nationwide reconsideration of nuclear energy as a viable means to modernize and enhance the aging electricity infrastructure.
“If we don’t get on board,” Hochul concluded, “it’ll pass us by.”
