Gov Hochul says New York planning new nuclear site, first large US plant in years

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Monday said that the Empire State is planning a new nuclear site, which will be the first large nuclear plant in the U.S. in nearly 20 years.

Hochul directed the New York Power Authority to develop the project, which will be a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant, according to the governor's office.

"NYPA, in coordination with the Department of Public Service (DPS), 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 and the people and businesses that rely on it," Hochul's office announced.

Hochul said Monday that she is “committed to working with the White House to accelerate this project” and has spoken with President Trump about expediting approval for nuclear facilities, The Hill reported.

“There’s a reason people don’t embrace nuclear energy — a lot of reasons — one of them is it just takes too long, and the barriers are in Washington,” Hochul said. “The length of time — 10 years, a decade of regulatory bureaucracy and red tape that must be gotten through — is a reason why it fails and people don’t even try.”

The plan was developed in order to replace more than two gigawatts of fossil fuel capacity that New York has shuttered over environmental concerns.

“To power New York’s future, we need three things: reliability, affordability, and sustainability, and nuclear drives all three,” Hochul said. “If you take nuclear off the table, the only way to do that is more fossil fuels.”

“The new plan will be a model of 21st century nuclear design with safety at the forefront, automatic safety systems to enhance the containment, and rigorous environmental standards will be met — they truly will,” she added.

Possible locations for the nuclear plant site will be determined based on compatibility with existing infrastructure, strength of community support, public safety, skilled labor, and land availability.

“As New York State electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, 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,” Hochul said in a statement.

“This is the second time during my administration that 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.”