Governor Hochul announces 4 GW of nuclear energy to strengthen New York’s grid
NEW YORK – At the annual “State of the State,” Governor Hochul announced the establishment of the Nuclear Reliability Backbone for a Zero-Emission Grid, which aims to add 4 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity to the state’s grid.
“Gov. Hochul’s decision to pursue 4 GW of new nuclear capacity in addition to the 1 GW procurement underway, recognizes the essential role clean, reliable power plays in strengthening the grid – all while supporting New York’s climate goals and communities,” said John Carlson, Senior Northeast Regional Policy Manager at Clean Air Task Force (CATF). “This action comes at a pivotal moment for nuclear energy in New York. Just last month, the New York State Energy Planning Board found that adding new nuclear energy to the state’s power system would support the state’s 2040 clean energy target – and make it cheaper to do so. By tasking the Public Service Commission to develop the market frameworks to enable these new builds, Gov. Hochul is ensuring that ratepayer interests and affordability are at the forefront while building the clean, economical grid of the future, one that also supports workforce development, strengthens municipal tax bases, and delivers these economic benefits to local communities.”
Power system modeling in the State Energy Plan makes a compelling case that nuclear power can deliver meaningful system-wide benefits. At the lower end of deployment, adding 2.2 GW of new nuclear power decreases the total costs of achieving the 2040 targets by an estimated $26 billion. That’s $26 billion saved from the pockets of ratepayers and taxpayers.
Carlson continued:
“As the state doubles down on its commitment to nuclear energy, including its recent leadership of a multi-state consortium to drive nuclear energy deployment, it’s also critical to preserve existing nuclear through New York’s Zero Emission Credit program. We look forward to working with New York policymakers and other stakeholders to preserve and expand nuclear energy across the state, as New York could serve as a model for other states across the country.”
Press Contact
Samantha Sadowski, Senior Communications Manager, U.S., ssadowski@catf.us, +1 202-440-1717
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
