New York Proposes Construction of First New Nuclear Power Plant in Decades

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans to build a new nuclear power plant in upstate New York, aiming to create a clean, reliable, and affordable electric grid for the state. The proposed facility, aimed at securing the state's energy independence, would have a combined capacity of at least one gigawatt of electricity and increase the state's total nuclear capacity to about 4.3 gigawatts. Hochul emphasized the importance of attracting large manufacturers creating good-paying jobs as the state decommissions aging fossil fuel power plants.

Key Takeaways:

The proposed nuclear power plant would be the first new one in New York in decades, with a combined capacity of at least one gigawatt of electricity and an expected increase in the state's total nuclear capacity to about 4.3 gigawatts.
Governor Kathy Hochul aims to secure New York's energy independence by pursuing the project, which would create 1,600 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent jobs.
The Nine Mile Point nuclear plant in Oswego is likely in the running for the new facility, with Hochul's administration supporting Maryland power company Constellation's bid to build a new nuclear reactor.
American utilities have been hesitant to launch new nuclear plants due to high cost overruns and delays, as seen in the recent high-profile projects like the Plant Vogtle in Georgia.
New York currently has three active nuclear plants, providing about 3.3 gigawatts of power, or roughly 20% of the state's electricity.
The last nuclear power plant built in the state was Unit 2 at Nine Mile Point in 1989, with nuclear power once providing about 5.4 gigawatts, or roughly one-third of the state's electrical supply.

Statistics:

The proposed nuclear power plant would increase the state's total nuclear capacity to about 4.3 gigawatts.
The facility could create 1,600 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent jobs.
New York currently has three active nuclear plants, providing about 3.3 gigawatts of power.
The Nine Mile Point nuclear plant, Robert Emmett Ginna, and James A. FitzPatrick plants provide about 20% of the state's electricity.
Nuclear power once provided about 5.4 gigawatts, or roughly one-third of the state's electrical supply.

Sources:

Philip Marcelo, "New York proposes construction of first new nuclear power plant in decades," New York's governor announces plans for a new nuclear facility, with a goal of securing energy independence and creating new jobs.