Democrat & Chronicle: New York Needs to Build Nuclear Plants Again
By: Robert Duffy
Published by Democrat & Chronicle on September 6, 2026 (print only)
I have spent my career in public service and economic development believing the same thing: New York succeeds when we plan for and invest inthe infrastructurethat long-term economic growth requires. That’s why I believe it’s time for our state to move forward with building the next generation of nuclear power – and why this decision matters as much for Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes as it does for Albany.
New York has set ambitious goals for its energy future, and demand for electricity is growing faster than anyone imagined.Here in Rochester, we see that demand up close and in real time. Companies across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and the emerging NY SMART I-Corridor are choosing to invest billions of dollars inUpstate New York because they believe in our future. Data centers and next-generation manufacturing facilities do not run on good intentions – they run on power, and lots of it, every hour of every day. If we want those investments and jobs that come with them, we must make sure we have the electricity to support them.
Renewable energy will be an important part of the solution, but it cannot do the job alone. Wind and solar provide valuable carbon-free electricity, but meeting New York’s growing energy needs with those variable resources alone would require a massive build-out of new generation, storage, and transmission on a scale never achieved before. Current estimates suggest New York will need to deploy more than 60,000 megawatts of new renewable resources between now and 2040 to keep pace with demand, far more than the state’s entire generation fleet today. For reference, in 2025, New York had a total of 37,654 megawatts of generation capacity statewide, including just 570 megawatts of large-scale solar and 2,900megawatts of land-based wind.
The reality is thatNew York will need a diverse mix of energy sources if we want to keep electricity reliable, affordable, and clean – and if we want to keep growing our economy rather than turning investment away. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s push for an all-of-the-above approach, utilizing nuclear, natural gas, wind, solar, and hydro power streams is the only way we can accomplish this.
A modern economy needs power that is available around the clock, every day of the year. For decades, nuclear energy has delivered exactly that. It provides reliable electricity regardless of weather conditions, and today New York’s existing nuclear plants supply roughly one fifth of the state’s electricity and nearly half of its carbon-free power.
That’s why I was encouraged to see Gov. Hochul set a goal to build at least 5 gigawatts of new nuclear power. Those kinds of decisions aren’t always easy, but they reflect the kind of long-term thinkingNew York needs. Setting a goal is an important first step. Now New York must turn that vision into action by creating a clear path for siting, permitting, financing, workforce development, and public-private partnership. We must match the ambition shown for generation with equal urgency on the transmission and grid capacity our own region and state need to attract and keep major employers
Fortunately, we’re not starting from scratch. New York already has skilled workers, established transmission infrastructure, world-class expertise, and communities that have safely hosted nuclear facilities for decades. Just as important, we have a proven track record of operating nuclear power safely and reliably while delivering major economic benefits to local communities.While other states are competing to establish themselves as the next generation of nuclear energy, New York already has the foundation, expertise, and credibility to lead. New York helped pioneer the nuclear industry. We should be leading its next chapter as well.
I’ve seen firsthand what nuclear facilities mean to the communities that host them. My career has taken me to visit the R.E. Ginna Nuclear Generating Station in Wayne County several times – reinforcing my confidence in not just the technology and security of their operations ,but of the community impact as well. Nuclear facilities are long-term economic engines that create good-paying union jobs, strengthen local tax bases, support schools and small businesses, and attract additional employers to the region.
Communities like those in Wayne County and Oswego understand this because they’ve experienced those benefits for decades. That’s exactly the kind of durable, family-sustaining employment our workforce development and apprenticeship partners across the Greater Rochester region are working every day to build pipelines toward. Nuclear expansion, done right, is a generational opportunity to do that at scale.
Moving forward means continuing to partner with willing communities, training the next generation of skilled workers, and bringing together state leaders, private developers, labor organizations, and federal partners to bring new projects from concept to construction. If we want a cleaner electric grid that remains reliable and affordable, we need every proven tool available. I’m proud to say that New York has never been a state that backs away from big challenges.Building a new generation of nuclear power is one of the smartest investments we can make in our economic future, our energy security, and our clean energy goals. If we want to create jobs, attract investment, and ensure reliable electricity for the businesses and families of the Rochester region and every community across New York, we must move forward with nuclear power.
Robert Duffy is former lieutenant governor of New York state and is currently president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.