Nuclear power has emerged as a potential key player in future energy infrastructure as New York mulls its long-term moves to arrive at a low-emission economy.
During a Sept. 9 state energy planning board meeting, board members began the process of developing the Empire State’s next 15-year energy plan and unveiled a draft guiding document that says nuclear energy is one of 15 major topics to be explored.
That stands in contrast to the last state energy plan in 2015. “Nuclear” is nowhere to be found in the main text body of that
plan, and when it showed up in a follow-up
report two years later, it was in the context of decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear plant.
New York has set
goals under a 2019 climate law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and at least 85 percent by 2050 (based on 1990 levels).
According to the
draft guiding document, the new energy plan will assess the state’s existing nuclear fleet and explore the potential role of advanced nuclear technologies—such as small-scale and modular units—in future power generation and hydrogen production.
It will also examine the environmental impacts and waste management of retired nuclear plants, such as the high-profile decommissioning of Indian Point in 2021.
Days before the energy planning board meeting, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul convened the state’s first Future Energy Economy
Summit in Syracuse, where global industry experts shared ideas on renewable energy development and advanced energy technologies.
One panel discussion featured nuclear power case studies in other states and countries.
In a draft
blueprint for advanced nuclear technologies prepared by the state Energy Research and Development Authority, nuclear is said to be a reliable, low-emission power source for meeting electricity demand when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining.
The shift of Albany’s attitude toward nuclear power followed moves by the White House. In July, President Joe Biden
signed the ADVANCE Act to accelerate domestic nuclear power production by preserving existing nuclear energy, reducing regulatory costs for new technologies, and introducing new incentives.
Other major topics to be explored in the state energy plan include reduced fossil fuel use, reliability and affordability of electricity, job creation, and economic development.
Members of the public can comment on the state’s draft guiding document for the energy plan at energyplan.ny.gov during a 60-day period starting in late September.
A draft state energy plan is likely to be ready for public comment in the summer of 2025.
The state energy planning board is made up of Energy Research and Development Authority President Doreen Harris; SUNY Chancellor John King Jr., a Hochul appointee; Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, the state Assembly appointee; Con Edison specialist William Suggs, the state Senate appointee; New York Independent System Operator President Richard Dewey; and nine state department heads.
