- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to build the state’s first major nuclear power plant in decades, framing it as key to a “clean, reliable and affordable” energy grid.
- The proposed upstate facility would generate at least one gigawatt of zero-emission power – enough for ~1 million homes – addressing grid strain from AI-driven data centers and fossil fuel plant closures.
- Hochul seeks federal support (including from the Trump administration) to fast-track approvals, criticizing decade-long delays as a barrier to nuclear development.
- The governor emphasized modern safety features, but critics call nuclear power slow, costly and dangerous, advocating for renewables instead.
- With only five new U.S. reactors since 1991 and tech giants like Microsoft turning to nuclear, Hochul’s plan aims to position New York as a tech hub – but risks repeating past policy mistakes like Indian Point’s closure.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans to construct the deep-blue state’s first major nuclear power plant in decades.
She disclosed this plan to build a nuclear power facility in the Empire State during an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Monday, June 23. The Democratic governor framed the project as essential for a “clean, reliable and affordable” grid, marking a dramatic shift in the state’s energy policy.
The proposed nuclear facility, slated for upstate New York, would add at least one gigawatt of zero-emission power. Its generation would be enough to supply roughly a million homes, bolstering a state grid strained by the shuttering of fossil fuel plants and surging demand from data centers driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the WSJ, Hochul is reportedly seeking support to slash regulatory barriers. Hochul is pursuing assistance from the Trump White House and the Department of Government Efficiency to overcome regulatory hurdles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “Why does it take a decade? That’s why no one is doing it; the barriers are too high,” she told the publication.
During a visit to the Niagara County Power Project also on Monday, Hochul emphasized that the new project is “not your grandparents’ nuclear reactor.” She continued: “The new plan will be a model of 21st century nuclear design with safety at the forefront, automatic safety systems to enhance the containment and rigorous environmental standards.”
The high-stakes battle for New York’s energy future
Yet skepticism persists despite Hochul’s assurances. Alfred Meyer of Physicians for Social Responsibility dismissed nuclear power as “very slow, expensive and dangerous,” arguing it diverts resources from faster renewable solutions like wind and solar. Meanwhile, renewable energy advocates accused Hochul of abandoning her climate commitments by aligning with Trump-era deregulation efforts aimed at accelerating nuclear approvals.
Historical context underscores the stakes. The U.S. has built only five new reactors since 1991, with nuclear’s share of electricity generation declining amid cost overruns and public distrust fueled by disasters like the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Yet as AI and data centers exponentially increase power demands, even tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are turning to nuclear – signing deals to buy output from aging plants. Hochul’s plan capitalizes on this trend, positioning upstate New York as a potential tech hub. (Related: Big Tech eyes nuclear power to meet the demands of AI computing.)
The closure of Indian Point Energy Center in April 2021 – a decision critics blame on unfounded fears – forced New York to rely more on fossil fuels, revealing the pitfalls of reactionary energy policies.
Four years later, it remains to be seen whether Hochul’s nuclear gamble pays off or becomes another costly misstep. Nevertheless, it is clear that the Empire State’s energy future hangs in the balance.
Watch this news report about President Donald Trump reviving the nuclear power industry.
This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.
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Sources include:
TheNationalPulse.com
APNews.com
TheGuardian.com
Brighteon.com
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