New York is dipping another toe in the water on nuclear power, trying to determine market interest in developing advanced generation technologies in the state.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority issued a request for information Nov. 15.
The move comes two months after NYSERDA issued a draft blueprint for consideration of advanced nuclear technologies at a summit convened to discuss the state’s future energy economy. All forms of clean energy were on the agenda, but nuclear had a more prominent role in the discussion. (See NY Takes a Closer Look at Advanced Nuclear.)
Nuclear historically has been very expensive and controversial, but it is increasingly attractive to a growing number of policymakers, as next-generation technology is touted as safer, faster and cheaper to build.
So far it is none of those things, but the potential is exciting, given the imperative to generate more electricity with less emissions.
New York officials have maintained a neutral tone on the prospect of expanding its presence in the Democratic-controlled state, but they, too, appear interested. The state has fallen behind on the ambitious decarbonization schedule lawmakers set, as utility-scale wind and solar projects see delays, cancellations and soaring prices.
Even if New York exceeded its goals for solar and wind, nuclear and its near-100% capacity factor could provide an important backstop for intermittent renewables.
There has been bipartisan federal support for developing next-generation nuclear technology, and New York is laying groundwork to make decisions once it is commercially viable.
In a Nov. 15 news release, NYSERDA President Doreen Harris explained the reasons, again without specifically endorsing more nuclear generation within state borders: “As local, national and international companies pursue nuclear energy for their on-site energy needs and the federal government signals interest in investing in this resource, we recognize that now is the time to position New York to fully engage this new sector that can drive significant economic development.”
Two days earlier, during a fireside chat with former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also did not explicitly call for more atoms to be split in the Empire State.
But she did say New York would lose a competitive edge with other states if it didn’t allow large commercial/industrial loads to use plug-and-play small modular reactors, once the technology is developed and approved.
Nuclear is something people have not been talking about for a long time, Hochul said, but New York needs to take another look at it.
New York state has four operational commercial reactors. In 2023 they provided 22% of the state’s electricity and 45% of its zero-emission electricity. Three of the reactors rank among the oldest operational units in the nation, first licensed 50 to 55 years ago.
NYSERDA’s request for information seeks to identify entities pursuing or interested in pursuing a role in the development of next-generation nuclear energy in New York.
It will, Harris said, let NYSERDA develop partnerships and initiatives for complementary resources, and keep the state in the forefront of emerging energy technologies.
NYSERDA hopes to hear not only from prospective developers but supply chain companies, potential host communities and entities in the workforce development, finance and research and development sectors.
Responses can be submitted via its online portal through Dec. 16.
Meanwhile, NYSERDA is finalizing its draft nuclear blueprint. The State Energy Planning Board is readying the latest update of the State Energy Plan, which provides broad direction on program and policy development in the public and private sectors.
And the Department of Public Service continues the work begun in June 2015 on implementing a Large-Scale Renewable Energy Program and a Clean Energy Standard (case 15-E-0302).
