New York will get its first new nuclear plant in nearly 40 years as the state grapples with soaring energy costs while scrambling to meet increased energy demands.
The new reactor would be built on the grounds of the US Army’s Fort Drum in the North Country with the goal of being fully operational within five years, officials said.
“We are building the energy resilience necessary to project combat power globally, without relying on potentially vulnerable external grids,” US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said in a statement.
The new plant — the Empire State’s first new reactor since 1988 — is part of the Army’s “Project Janus” initiative to build small reactors on military bases to generate reliable energy.
The $2.2 billion project hopes to ultimately construct 20 so-called “microreactors” nationwide. Fort Drum, home of the Army’s esteemed 10th Mountain Division, was selected along with forts in North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas and Georgia.
Private contractors will run the reactors, with Westinghouse awarded the Fort Drum project.
“This investment will help create a pathway towards commercially viable microreactors, with Fort Drum being one of the first recipients of this new transformative technology that can help provide much-needed baseload power,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), whose district includes the fort.
The development comes as New York state is revisiting expanding nuclear energy and putting the brakes on green energy goals that some blame for sending electricity rates skyrocketing.
New Yorkers now pay the third highest utility costs in the country, behind only Alaska and Hawaii, recent data showed.
Recent reports, including from New York’s independent grid operator, show prices are likely to increase as energy generation failed to keep up with ever-growing demand.
The turn back toward nuclear comes after a Democrat-led effort to close Indian Point Energy Center in Westchester County, a move which experts said taxed the grid and zapped ratepayers.
Meanwhile, local officials are hopeful that the Army’s local foray into nuclear power could help accelerate potential new commercial developments and give a boost to the North Country’s economy.
“This solidifies Fort Drum’s importance to the North Country economy, to New York state and, most importantly, to our national defense structure,” Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Jefferson) said in a statement. “A resilient power projection platform is a stronger power projection platform, and that will keep this installation relevant for the decades ahead.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul took credit for attracting the Janus Project by way of making nuclear a “cornerstone” of her energy strategy.
“The selection of Fort Drum shows that my vision of making New York a welcoming state for diverse power sources is the best way to ensure we have the grid reliability into the future that we need to keep the lights on and costs down for New Yorkers while also attracting 21st century economic development opportunities,” Hochul spokesperson Ken Lovett said.
Sky-high energy costs have become a campaign issue for Hochul as she faces reelection in November against Republican Bruce Blakeman.
Meanwhile, Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler has separated himself from Democrat Cait Conley on the issue, controversially doubling down on proposing recommissioning Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County as a way to drive down utility costs.
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