NY Lawmakers Oppose Hochul Nuclear Subsidy Plan
Thirty-five New York state lawmakers oppose Governor Kathy Hochul's nuclear energy expansion plan, warning it could cost ratepayers billions and citing historical cost overruns. They advocate for alternative energy solutions and greater affordability. Separately, Senator Liz Krueger urged the Governor to sign legislation imposing broader requirements on data centers, noting that Hochul has moved a data center moratorium.
Thirty-five Democratic state lawmakers, led by State Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, have formally opposed Governor Kathy Hochul's nuclear energy expansion plan in New York. They warn that state-backed financing for new nuclear construction could cost ratepayers and taxpayers billions of dollars, with the Public Service Commission estimating subsidies could reach $23.9 billion. This opposition was filed as the public comment period closed on New York's Advanced Nuclear Policy Options Paper, a draft exploring financing tools like utility surcharges and taxpayer grants.
The lawmakers cited past failures, including New York's Shoreham nuclear plant and Georgia's Plant Vogtle Unit 3, which experienced significant delays and cost overruns. They highlighted that Plant Vogtle took 15 years to build, cost more than double its original estimate, and resulted in a nearly 25% rate increase for Georgia Power customers. By contrast, they noted Texas built 36 gigawatts of solar and storage for a similar cost in four years, arguing New York needs faster energy solutions.
Assemblymember Simon urged Governor Hochul to prioritize ending fossil fuel subsidies and invest in clean energy initiatives for quicker, more affordable relief for ratepayers. Separately, Senator Krueger pressed the Governor to sign legislation imposing broader requirements on data centers, indicating that Hochul has initiated a moratorium on data centers, though details on its connection to the nuclear debate were not provided in the report.
Governor Hochul views nuclear energy as a key part of an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, combining nuclear, renewables, and fossil fuels, and an economic development opportunity. She plans for 1 gigawatt of nuclear expansion and collaboration with the White House for a broader 5 gigawatt goal, stressing the need to avoid cost overruns seen in past projects. The debate mirrors a national push for nuclear expansion, with federal financing recently announced to meet rising electricity demand driven partly by data centers.