Ever since NRG started talking about shuttering its coal plant on the Dunkirk waterfront, people have had all sorts of ideas about what should happen to that facility next. For a very long time, a lot of people argued vehemently that NRG, or some other company, had to start processing coal there again. It appears people have finally come to understand that it is not going to happen.

With that realization came many dreams about what should next fill the previously gorgeous, prime real estate. A multitude of diverse and exciting ideas emerged. Who wouldn’t love to see that land used for something like a new-age Disneyland, a fancy resort, a shopping center, or high-end condos?

Many ideas seemed feasible at first. Far more did not. However, upon deeper examination, it didn’t take long to figure out that most of these fabulous ideas were unrealistic. The reasons have been well documented in studies, but the main reasons are due to costs associated with cleaning up toxicity, tearing down the existing facility, remodeling or and building something completely new. Everyone seems to agree the end goal has to be the creation of a profitable tax-contributing entity on that site again. Thankfully, those studies also made it clear that there is hope for the site. However, it’s well past time that all of us became realistic about what can be put there.

The summer meeting about the site hosted by the city was reassuring. It focused on the possibility of NRG becoming home to next-generation nuclear energy technology.

It was exciting to see residents express interest in learning more about it, especially since so many different ideas have been floated, and people frequently fight any sort of change. This has especially seemed true regarding anything to do with newer energy sources.

The city was wise to bring in experts to help residents understand the challenges, costs, and to address myths and the public’s fears. Most people fear change, and this would be an exceptionally big change. Many also expressed concerns about the environment, as potential plans were discussed.

Understandably, people seemed most concerned about the hazards they might face from living or working near a nuclear facility. People voiced worry about past nuclear disasters seen in other places, but were reassured that much had been learned making those disasters unlikely to occur here. Current methods to prevent them were explained, and it was noted that many more safety advancements are likely to occur before new facilities would be constructed here.

Interestingly, many young people spoke out to say they were strongly in favor of moving forward with plans to bring a nuclear energy facility to replace NRG. They spoke passionately about how it would bring jobs and help what they see as a region going downhill economically. They felt a nuclear plant would give them a big, important reason to stay in the community they love.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development Committee supports efforts to move forward with redeveloping the former NRG site. It has the potential to be a huge economic driver for the county again, in the right hands. Coming together to make something this monumental happen could help the entire WNY region drive all residents toward greater economic prosperity.

Patty Hammond is Economic Development Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative is a standing committee of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF). Send comments or suggestions to Patty Hammond at phammond@nccfoundation.org