New York Plans First Nuclear Power Plant in Decades

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to develop a new nuclear power plant, the first to be built in the state in decades.

This initiative signals a potential resurgence of nuclear energy in the United States, driven by a coalition of supporters that includes the Trump administration, which has advocated for “energy dominance”; technology companies requiring increased electricity for AI data centers; and environmental advocates who view nuclear energy as a viable, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels.

Nuclear energy could see a comeback in the US thanks to wide-ranging support from some strange bedfellows.

According to Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, “The use of advanced nuclear technology can provide the State with a greater diversity of its energy resources that will support New York’s goal of a growing economy with a reliable, zero-emission electricity system” press release.

Governor Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority to construct at least one new nuclear energy site in upstate New York, with a capacity to generate at least 1 gigawatt of electricity, which is approximately half the capacity of the Hoover Dam.

The state is particularly interested in advanced reactors that are still under development, aiming to address some of the challenges that the nuclear energy sector has faced over the years. Following a surge in nuclear reactor construction during the 1970s and 1980s, the industry has struggled to compete with cheaper gas-fired power plants and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Additionally, public fears regarding nuclear accidents, such as those at partial meltdown at Three Mile Island and conflicts over where to store radioactive waste, have hindered the industry’s growth.

Next-generation designs for small modular reactors are expected to reduce costs and facilitate the development of new nuclear energy sites. Last month, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders to overhaul the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, expedite licensing for new reactors, and truncate environmental reviews. Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Energy, Chris Wright, previously served on the board of a nuclear energy startup with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The Vogtle power plant in Georgia exemplifies the challenges that have beset nuclear power projects; it is the site of the first new reactors constructed in the U.S. in over three decades. After construction commenced in 2009, Vogtle units 3 and 4 finally came online in 2023 and 2024, incurring approximately $17 billion in cost overruns.

Currently, the average age of a nuclear reactor in the U.S. is 42 years, with many reactors recently retiring or scheduled to close soon. However, this trend is beginning to reverse, aided by support from major technology companies and government incentives. Google and Amazon have both signed agreements to promote the development of next-generation nuclear reactors. Recently, Meta signed a deal to extend the operational life of a reactor built in the 1980s by an additional 20 years. Furthermore, Microsoft announced a power purchase agreement last year that is expected to facilitate the restart of one reactor at Three Mile Island.

New York has set an ambitious climate goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent this decade compared to 1990 levels. This goal remains a priority despite The state is about halfway to that goal, which has been complicated by missing some key deadlines for finalizing pollution regulations.