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NY to get first new nuclear power plant since 1988
New York Post • • nation
Key Points:
- New York will build its first new nuclear reactor since 1988 at Fort Drum as part of the US Army’s Project Janus, aiming for operation within five years to enhance energy resilience and meet rising demand.
- The $2.2 billion initiative plans to construct 20 microreactors nationwide, with Westinghouse contracted to operate the Fort Drum facility, supporting reliable baseload power on military bases.
- The move reflects New York’s shift back toward nuclear energy amid soaring utility costs—third highest in the US—and concerns that previous closures of nuclear plants have strained the grid.
- Local officials and state leaders view the project as vital for economic development, national defense, and grid reliability, with Governor Kathy Hochul emphasizing nuclear power as a key part of her energy strategy.
- Energy costs remain a significant political issue in New York, with the project potentially influencing Governor Hochul’s reelection campaign against Republican Bruce Blakeman.
