Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant.
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Governor Kathy Hochul 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.
"The country is talking about this, semiconductor manufacturing. But you know what? They don't run on dreams — they need to be powered, they need a lot of electricity," Governor Kathy Hochul said.
"So if we don't increase New York's electricity supply in a major way, we're going to risk losing our opportunities. They can go elsewhere, but we want them here.
"And that's why this announcement is also so important. We cannot risk jeopardizing the pro-business climate that I have worked so hard to create for the last few years.
"We also have to make sure we don't keep having costs in New York driven up. I'm not talking about some far off future. That future is right now, that demand is right now and the opportunity is right now.
"But if we don't increase our capacity over the next decade, we will see rolling blackouts and other disruptions. You see them in other states.
"We must radically increase supply starting now, and do it in a way that does not threaten our commitment to clean air and a clean environment, and ensure that New York remains a leader in the global fight against climate change. We're capable of doing all of this.
"So everybody's raising their hand right now. It's going to be hard to decide. But unlike what you would've thought years ago, when there was a fear, a legitimate fear of nuclear — I grew up with that as well in the environment — everyone was talking about that.
"But we'll create 1,600 jobs during construction and 1,200 good-paying, permanent jobs as a result. How does that sound to you? With one facility? That's just one facility.
"So to power New York's future, we need three things: reliability, affordability, and sustainability. And nuclear drives all three. Now you'll hear the term base load from a lot of people at NYPA.
"It's just the minimum amount of power that you need always on, no matter what. It doesn't fluctuate with the weather or the time of day.
"Now, if you take nuclear off the table, the only way to do that is more fossil fuels. That's not going to work for us here in New York. We're not going backwards.
"We're going forward. In the last couple years, we've shut down more than two gigawatts of fossil fuel capacity.
"That's why it makes New York's electric grid one the cleanest in the country per capita. But you don't get cleaner air or lower asthma rates for kids by burning fossil fuels. You get there by using more clean power and nuclear is today's answer to that. So look how far we've come.
"So here's the deal, we'll be looking for private partners. Anybody got a lot of money out there? All right, raise your hand if you do. We want to help finance the plant and buy the power it generates.
"So I'm directing the Department of Public Service to work hand in hand with NYPA to ensure this is done with upfront. The number one focus has to be the ratepayers.
"Ratepayers must know that there's going to be reliability, no cost escalation and they'll be able to see into the future what their bills will look like. And we'll make sure this plant keeps the lights on without making it too expensive.
"So while we're tackling this, leading the transition truly for the nation. I mean, what we do here in New York — the country's watching us, and maybe they're a little surprised and it's unexpected," the Governor said. ■