Genover, a firm focused on responsibly redeveloping legacy industrial properties, will be taking over the former NRG site in Dunkirk seen in the background.

It’s possible the former NRG plant could be repurposed or even torn down.

During the recent Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors meeting, Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise noted how the former NRG plant is now owned by Genover. The Boerne, Texas, company has a history of purchasing and finding solutions for former power plants and industrial facilities.

“In most cases they demo the sites. They clean them up and they repurpose them for a data center, repowering or other economic development/industrial development purposes,” Geise said, adding, “Certainly nuclear is one (possibility).”

At one point there had been a lot of talk of the former NRG plant becoming a micro-nuclear facility. Last December, Dunkirk Planning and Development Director Vince DeJoy submitted an application expressing interest in a state-backed nuclear project in the city.

Because of this interest last year, state Sen. George Borrello had arranged for a “Local Leaders’ Nuclear 101 Forum” to take place, which is set for Tuesday.

Geise will be master of ceremonies for the event.

“As New York state moves forward with efforts to advance next-generation nuclear energy, Dunkirk has emerged as one of the communities being discussed as a possible host location. Given the potential implications for our region, it is important that local leaders have an understanding of the technology, the opportunities it could create and the questions that come with it,” Borrello wrote in a letter. “The forum will feature experts in nuclear energy, economic development, labor, and finance who will discuss topics including how advanced nuclear reactors work and how they differ from conventional plants, safety and waste management, workforce opportunities and project financing.”

In a separate interview, Borrello said the forum is for local business people and elected officials to help them understand the pros and cons.

“There’s an organization called Nuclear New York. They are a not-for-profit organization that is basically answering questions about nuclear power,” he said.

Borrello said while he supports nuclear energy, he admits that it would be a long time before any kind of plant could ever be built anywhere in the state, including Dunkirk.

When discussing the possibility of the former NRG plant becoming a data center, Geise noted the state Legislature has proposed a one-year moratorium on any new data centers in the state. That legislation has yet to be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Geise said the moratorium, if enacted, would be in place so the state could look at peak electricity needs, potential environmental impact, its alignment with climate goals, and other issues.