By Carol Browner and José Gaona for The Buffalo News
We don't agree on everything. Carol remembers when "nuclear" was a dirty word in environmental circles. José has grown up in a world where climate change is a real and present threat. It is the defining challenge of his generation. But when we look at New York charting a bold new course on clean energy, we're speaking with one voice: this is what progress looks like.
New York isn't tiptoeing into clean nuclear power. It's sprinting. The momentum for progress is unmistakable.
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently directed plans to add four gigawatts of additional nuclear power capacity − enough to power millions of homes without adding any carbon pollution to the environment. Eight communities across the state are already raising their hands to host new reactors. The state just extended its Zero-Emissions Credit program, providing affirmation to existing nuclear plants that have quietly been doing the work of powering New York for decades – without producing carbon pollution. The governor also mandated a statewide review of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, to bolster state plans for a comprehensive clean energy system.
This isn't just esoteric policy. It's a fundamental shift in how New York thinks about our energy future. And it’s not a moment too soon.
For too long, we've been told we must choose between reliable, affordable power or a clean, healthy environment. Nuclear energy shatters that false choice.
Nuclear power is constant and reliable. It helps keep the lights on during brutal winter storms and sweltering summer heat. Nuclear power plants don't emit carbon pollution. And they create good-paying jobs that last, not just during construction, but for the 60-plus years in which these facilities operate.
Americans back nuclear power because it’s a low-carbon source of energy. Nearly 6 in 10 people support expanding nuclear power, a 17% jump since 2020 backed by both Republicans and Democrats.
People see their electricity bills going up. They feel climate disasters getting worse. They're looking for affordable solutions that transcend politics and put consumers first.
What's happening in New York matters beyond New York. By aligning its climate goals with practical, available, expandable and affordable clean energy sources such as nuclear power and renewables, it sends a strong signal that power and prosperity can be in balance. New York is showing what can be achieved when strong policy is supported by policymakers and the community.
The beauty of this moment is how it brings people together who rarely occupy the same space. Union workers who build these plants. Tech leaders developing advanced reactor designs. Environmental champions fighting against pollution. Young people who refuse to accept that their future has to be worse than their parents'. Governors and mayors who need solutions to keep the lights on while meeting climate targets.
That's why we have hope. When Carol started in environmental policy, nuclear power was considered the enemy. When José began advocating for climate solutions, the future seemed bleak. Today, we both recognize we need energy solutions that work − and nuclear energy works.
No state has all the answers. But New York is showing what's possible when leaders focus on practical solutions instead of political soundbites. New York is building a sustainable energy future. It’s a blueprint for other states, especially those with nuclear power capacity, to build their own reliable and clean energy sources.
The climate clock is ticking. We can’t wait any longer. New York isn’t waiting, it’s leading.
Carol Browner is a former administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency and former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy. José Gaona is founder and CEO of Gen-Z Emerging Technology Action (ZETA), an organization dedicated to advancing leadership in tech policy.
This opinion piece was published in the Buffalo News on March 22, 2026.