Overview

• The plant is slated to generate at least 1 GW of zero-emission power, enough for roughly 1 million homes, marking New York’s first major nuclear construction since 2009.
• The New York Power Authority will assess upstate sites—potentially at existing reactors along Lake Ontario—and develop detailed siting and construction plans.
• The 2021 closure of the Indian Point plant increased fossil fuel dependence and propelled calls to restore baseload nuclear capacity to stabilize the grid.
• The reactor will incorporate modern safety systems and meet rigorous environmental standards while supporting 1,600 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent positions.
• Major tech firms, including Microsoft, Google and Amazon, have backed the initiative to secure reliable power for AI data centers even as environmental advocates caution about nuclear waste risks and high costs.