OBSERVER file photo The former NRG power plant in Dunkirk closed in 2016.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York to support a reliable and affordable electric grid, while providing the necessary zero-emission electricity to achieve a clean energy economy. State Sen. George Borrello would like that facility to be located in Dunkirk.

“Following reports that Governor Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority to build a nuclear power plant in Upstate New York, I support this commonsense approach to provide reliable, affordable clean energy in the form of nuclear power; however, I am calling on her to make the NRG power plant site in Dunkirk, NY one of the selected locations,” Borrello said.

As a result of economic growth and fossil fuel power plant retirements, New York needs new, clean electricity resources to meet growing power demand from new industrial development, building electrification and electric vehicles. The advanced nuclear plant will complement New York’s ongoing deployment of renewable energy by adding zero-emission baseload power, providing reliable and affordable clean energy to advance the State’s goal to achieve a clean energy economy.

“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. “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.”

A nuclear plant for the former NRG location is something county officials have been looking into for about the last eight months. Borrello sees the plant for the city as helping its troubled fiscal future.

“Dunkirk already has suffered severely since the NRG Power Plant closing,” he said. “Costing the city jobs and critically needed revenue. Rather than offering short-term, costly bailouts like the $13.7 million loan at a steep 7.5% interest rate, Governor Hochul should prioritize long-term investment by converting the NRG site into one of the state’s new nuclear facilities.

“This would bring back critical tax revenue, generate well-paying jobs, and deliver the long-overdue economic recovery that Dunkirk desperately needs.

“If Governor Hochul is truly committed to supporting the City of Dunkirk, she must make the NRG Power Plant a part of her plan.”

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.

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.

This initiative also builds on the State’s 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, share best practices, and support the responsible deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

“We appreciate and support Governor Hochul and her administration’s effort to evaluate and seek to implement advanced nuclear in New York state,’ said Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier Executive Director Todd Tranum. “To maintain and grow manufacturing and expand our overall economy we need more power on the grid. The safety advancements in nuclear technology, low operating costs, reliability and zero carbon emissions make it a viable choice for the overall energy production portfolio of New York State. We are encouraged as well by the private and public partnership that will be established in this effort to expand power production in the State.”