For Release: Immediate, June 23, 2025
STATEMENT FROM SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S NUCLEAR POWER ANNOUNCEMENT
“Following reports that Governor Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority to build a nuclear power plant in Upstate New York, I support this commonsense approach to provide reliable, affordable clean energy in the form of nuclear power; however, I am calling on her to make the NRG power plant site in Dunkirk, NY one of the selected locations.
Dunkirk already has suffered severely since the NRG Power Plant closing. Costing the city jobs and critically needed revenue. Rather than offering short-term, costly bailouts like the $13.7 million loan at a steep 7.5% interest rate, Governor Hochul should prioritize long-term investment by converting the NRG site into one of the state’s new nuclear facilities.
This would bring back critical tax revenue, generate well-paying jobs, and deliver the long-overdue economic recovery that Dunkirk desperately needs.
If Governor Hochul is truly committed to supporting the City of Dunkirk, she must make the NRG Power Plant a part of her plan.”
###
PRESS RELEASE: Governor Kathy Hochul today directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York to support a reliable and affordable electric grid, while providing the necessary zero-emission electricity to achieve a clean energy economy. This builds on other opportunities announced in Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State to catalyze nuclear energy development in New York.
“As New York State electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,” Governor Hochul said. “This is the second time during my administration that I am calling on the New York Power Authority to lead a critical energy initiative, and just as it is doing with the expedited buildout of renewable energy and transmission, it will now safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
As a result of economic growth and fossil fuel power plant retirements, New York needs new, clean electricity resources to meet growing power demand from new industrial development, building electrification and electric vehicles. The advanced nuclear plant will complement New York’s ongoing deployment of renewable energy by adding zero-emission baseload power, providing reliable and affordable clean energy to advance the State’s goal to achieve a clean energy economy.
NYPA, in coordination with the Department of Public Service (DPS), will seek to develop at least one new nuclear energy facility with a combined capacity of no less than one gigawatt of electricity, either alone or in partnership with private entities, to support the state's electric grid and the people and businesses that rely on it.
