Jun 24, 2025
Chautauqua County and New York state representatives are voicing strong support for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s directive to expand nuclear energy in the state, noting the former NRG facility makes sense for such a project.
In a joint announcement on Tuesday morning, County Executive PJ Wendel, State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, say they back the construction of a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in upstate. The plan, unveiled Monday builds on the Governor’s 2025 State of the State agenda, directs the New York Power Authority (NYPA), in coordination with the Department of Public Service (DPS), to develop at least one gigawatt of new nuclear capacity to strengthen the state’s electric grid and reduce emissions.
“The NRG facility in Dunkirk has sat unused for nearly a decade, representing both a missed opportunity and a pressing need for action,” Wendel said. “By repowering NRG with safe, advanced nuclear technology, we can bring this critical asset back online to serve New York’s clean energy transition, create high paying jobs, and revitalize a community that has long waited for meaningful economic reinvestment. I applaud Governor Hochul’s vision and urge her to make Dunkirk a centerpiece of this new nuclear strategy.”
Repowering the Dunkirk site would not only provide urgently needed clean energy but also serve as a strategic blueprint for repurposing legacy energy infrastructure across the state. Local leaders emphasize that reactivating the plant could offer reliable baseload electricity, attract new industrial and manufacturing development, and restore revenue streams essential to the City of Dunkirk and Chautauqua County.
“I support this commonsense step toward expanding reliable and affordable clean energy through advanced nuclear power,” Borrello said. “However, while this statewide initiative is promising, we must not overlook the city of Dunkirk, which has already suffered significant losses from the closure of the NRG plant, costing the community jobs and critically needed revenue. Instead of offering short-term, costly bailouts like the $13.7 million loan at a 7.5% interest rate, the governor should make a lasting investment by designating the NRG Plant in Dunkirk as a site for one of the state’s new nuclear plants.”
Hochul’s announcement signals a positive shift in New York’s energy policy, emphasizing reliability and affordability alongside decarbonization. The advanced nuclear project proposed by NYPA will play a key role in ensuring the state’s electric grid remains stable while meeting the state’s aggressive climate goals.
Chautauqua County leaders see this initiative as a generational opportunity to align local needs with state and federal energy objectives — by turning an idle facility into a cornerstone of the Western New York economy.
“The long-idled power plant in Dunkirk represents one of the most practical and impactful opportunities for New York’s nuclear energy expansion,” said Molitor. “The infrastructure is already in place, the community is eager for reinvestment, and the need for reliable, zero-emission power is only growing. Repurposing this site with advanced nuclear technology would create good jobs, strengthen the local economy, and help stabilize the electric grid. It’s time to stop overlooking Dunkirk and start recognizing it as a key part of New York’s energy future.”
The Fredonia Police Benevolent Association has cancelled its annual July picnic for this year. The news came in a …
Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of New York, Inc. | https://www.observertoday.com | PO Box 391, Dunkirk, NY 14048 | 716-366-3000
