Write a commentOswego County leaders today praised Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that the State will pursue construction of a new advanced nuclear plant somewhere in Upstate New York and said that the new plant would be welcomed in Oswego County.
“Oswego County has a long history of hosting nuclear power stations and is uniquely positioned as the best region for the state to develop new nuclear projects,” said Legislature Chairman James Weatherup. “Oswego County currently hosts three nuclear reactors, and the existing nuclear sites are excellent locations for advanced nuclear development with abundant land for expansion that already meets strict federal criteria for nuclear power development. Necessary infrastructure already exists here, which would help keep new construction costs down. We have skilled trades workers and a qualified nuclear workforce.
“The Governor specifically mentioned the need to provide power to new high-energy-demand industries, such as Micron, which is less than 30 miles down the road from us,” he continued. “Importantly, Oswego County is already an experienced nuclear host community that is overwhelmingly supportive of nuclear power.”
Governor Hochul today directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to add one gigawatt of electric power to the state’s grid by constructing a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York. New nuclear generation will support a reliable and affordable electric grid, while providing the necessary zero-emission electricity to achieve a clean energy economy, according to the Governor’s news release.
Owned by Constellation Energy, Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 and the James A. FitzPatrick plant are located in Oswego County and have provided safe reliable electricity to homes and businesses since 1970. Together, they produce about 2,708 megawatts (MW) of power, and provide approximately half of New York State’s zero-emission electricity.
“New York’s Climate Action Plan requires that the state’s electricity be produced by 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040,” said Oswego County Administrator Philip Church. “That goal simply can’t be achieved without existing and new nuclear power generation. Oswego County government stands ready to assist NYPA and the Department of Public Service to achieve the Governor’s directive to build new nuclear and help the State meet its zero-emission electricity goals.”
The State’s initiative received bipartisan support from county legislative leadership, with both the majority leader and minority leader backing the prospect of a new advanced nuclear plant in Oswego County.
“Our experience hosting nuclear power plants for over 50 years has been very positive,” said Majority Leader John Martino, District 6. “Construction and operation of a new nuclear plant will provide thousands of new good paying union jobs and create significant economic benefits for our residents and local businesses.”
Minority Leader Frank Castiglia, Jr., District 25, added, “Nuclear power plants employ hundreds of skilled and professional workers. They are a huge part of our local economy and help pay for critical government services our residents depend on. Expanding the industry here and increasing that positive impact is very important for the future of Oswego County’s people.”
The process by which NYPA will undertake this initiative and choose a location for a new plant was not announced today; but in her announcement, the Governor invited the participation of the private sector.
Earlier this year, Constellation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority filed a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to support a Nuclear Regulatory Commission early site permit for an advanced nuclear reactor at the Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center in Oswego, New York.
Austin Wheelock, executive director of Operation Oswego County, the county’s economic development agency, said nuclear power plants have proven to be economic engines for the communities that host them, providing a stable tax base that supports essential services like schools and creating a pathway for thousands of middle-class careers for New Yorkers.
“We look forward to working with the Governor with the intention that these projects are built and maintained by our highly skilled unions and to ensure they complement the vibrant economic growth happening across upstate New York,” said Wheelock.
