Is it realistic to hope for a nuclear plant at the former NRG Energy Inc. site in Dunkirk? While many are not ruling out the opportunity, time is a factor.

Even if the site is chosen, the state Request for Information for interested developers — which was submitted by the city — notes the hope of construction beginning by 2033. That’s a long time to wait, especially for a financially troubled municipality.

In recent weeks, state Sen. George Borrello renewed a call to repower that site with natural gas. He did so in an opinion piece in the OBSERVER two weeks ago and followed that up by making a plea in Albany.

“I represent Dunkirk, economically devastated by the closing of its power plant, meanwhile we’re importing more power than we ever have – old-fashioned dirty coal plants in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio,” he told the Public Service Commission. “Why can’t we just repower these facilities like the Dunkirk NRG plant with natural gas with a goal of maybe 10, 20 years down the road, whenever there’s a payoff, and then go nuclear once we can actually have small modular reactors? … We need a real plan. We need power right now.”

Borrello’s call makes sense regarding the time frame. Using natural gas would be a quicker solution for more state-generated power.

It could have happened before 2016, but lawsuits and a lack of urgency from the state contributed to the project not happening. NRG still owns the facility – and is paying a pittance in taxes to the city, school and county.

Getting the NRG on board has to be part of the solution. Right now, their silence, could speak volumes.