Governor Kathy Hochul is calling on the New York Power Authority to expand nuclear energy throughout the state, creating a new “back-bone” to the state’s power grid.
Hochul previously called on the New York Power Authority to oversee a project that would add one GW of nuclear energy to the grid.
As part of the proposed Nuclear Reliability Backbone intuitive, Hochul said the state would add an additional four GW of new nuclear capacity.
“As New York transitions to a zero-emission electric grid, the State must ensure reliable and cost-effective baseload power to keep homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure running at all hours. Governor Hochul will ensure that New York State leads in the race to harness safe and reliable advanced nuclear energy to power homes and businesses with zero-emissions electricity for generations to come,” Hochul’s State of the State book said.
As part of the plan, Hochul says she will direct state agencies to establish “a clear pathway for additional advanced nuclear generation to support grid reliability.”
“The Nuclear Reliability Backbone will be developed by a new Department of Public Service process to consider, review, and facilitate a cost-effective pathway to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear energy that will combine with existing nuclear generation and the New York Power Authority’s previously announced 1 gigawatt project, to create an 8.4 gigawatt ‘backbone’ of reliable energy for New Yorkers,” state officials said.
If successful, officials say the plan would reduce reliance on fossil fuel generation while also creating a stable foundation of “always-on” energy that creates a more stable grid.
Hochul has called for a “zero-emission grid” for several years now, saying the state needed to focus on “resilient and flexible energy supplies” that would meet the state’s growing energy needs.
By supporting the initiative, Hochul said trade unions would benefit greatly as a “skill, in-state nuclear workforce” is developed through coordinated education and training pathways.
Hochul’s address was light on specific details, though she said the plans would allow New York to achieve a 100% zero-emission electric grid by 2040.
Hochul’s announcement comes just weeks after St. Lawrence County was named as one of eight potential host communities following a Request for Information request from NYPA.
According to New York Power Authority officials, eight communities or counties and 23 developers have expressed interest through the formal Request For Information (RFI) process set forth by NYPA this fall.
Other possible host communities include Broome County, the city of Dunkirk, Jefferson County, Schuyler County, Oswego County, Wayne County and RED- Rochester LLC.
Assemblyman Scott Gray, who hosted a number of informational forums throughout the summer and fall of 2025 to raise awareness of the potential projects, said the North Country “showed up in a big way, with St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties leading the way.”
“The extent of interest submitted through the NYPA RFI sends a clear message: this region is ready to compete, host, and build. There is a real opportunity to develop an energy-generation hub economy, anchored by reliable power, skilled workers, and a community that understands large-scale infrastructure,” Gray said.
The enthusiasm was tempered slightly after Tribal leaders and RACER officials declined to support a nuclear facility near the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council in conjunction with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne are withholding support for a possible nuclear power plant in proximity to the territory.
In a joint press release, both groups of leadership said the initiative lacked support from the community.
“In the absence of support from our membership and community, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne will not provide support for the development of a nuclear power plant at any location near the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory,” stated the Councils.
Likewise, a RACER official said the former GM Powertrain site was not deemed a suitable location for a nuclear facility. North Country This Week sought comment from RACER, with Redevelopment Manager Bruch Rasher confirming the comment was in fact authentic.
“The statement on the Facebook page is accurate and authentic. RACER provided the statement in response to an inquiry from tribal leadership,” Rasher told North Country This Week.
He said RACER took the position for three main reasons.
“First, the New York Power Authority’s RFI did not include any site selection criteria for properties to be considered, or the process for selecting candidate properties and so RACER doesn’t know if its property would even qualify,” he said.
He went on further, saying RACER’s “own assessment and experience” led them to believe the property was unlikely to be selected.
He finished by saying the inclusion of the site on any proposal for a nuclear facility could “have a chilling effect” on marketing efforts.
“Third, and just as important, appearing on a list of candidate properties would have the effect of chilling the market’s interest in acquiring and redeveloping the property. Given that it likely will be years before a site is chosen for new nuclear energy development, and years more before permits for construction are approved, RACER did not want to risk encumbering the property,” Rasher said.
RACER has worked in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development to market the location in recent years to find a suitor, however those efforts have proven unsuccessful.
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