Constellation Energy, the operator of the Nine Mile Point and Ginna nuclear plants in New York, has announced plans to seek approval from state regulators to build a new nuclear power plant. The company filed a proposal with the New York State Public Service Commission on May 19, 2026, to begin the licensing process for a new reactor at an existing site.
The proposed plant would be located at the Nine Mile Point site in Oswego County, where two reactors are already in operation. Constellation Energy stated that the new reactor could generate up to 1,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough to power approximately 800,000 homes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed support for the initiative, calling it a critical step toward meeting the state's climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emission grid by 2040.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about nuclear waste disposal and safety, but supporters argue that nuclear power is essential for reliable, clean energy. The approval process is expected to take several years, with construction potentially beginning in the early 2030s.
