This opinion piece originally appeared in The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com.

Sen. Christopher J. Ryan represents the 50th Senate District, which includes parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties.

When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her directive for the New York Power Authority to develop a new, zero-emission advanced nuclear facility in Upstate New York, she issued a challenge worthy of this moment: Build the next generation of clean, reliable power right here at home.

Now, the question is: Where should it be built? The answer is clear: Oswego.

For decades, Oswego County has been the heart of New York’s nuclear energy industry. On the shores of Lake Ontario, the FitzPatrick and Nine Mile Point plants have quietly powered millions of homes with carbon-free energy. These aren’t just facilities — they are pillars of our community. They have supported families for generations, sustained small businesses and regional economic development, as well as created pathways to good-paying, union jobs.

At the center of that success is Constellation Energy, one of the nation’s leading nuclear operators. Constellation runs both Oswego plants and has set the standard for safety, innovation and reliability. Their commitment to union labor ensures that these jobs stay local, skilled and secure. When people talk about the best of American energy leadership, they’re often describing what’s already happening right here in Central New York.

That’s why this community is uniquely ready to host New York’s first advanced nuclear project. The infrastructure is in place. The transmission capacity exists. The workforce is trained, and just as importantly, the public understands and supports nuclear energy because they’ve lived with it safely for generations. There is no better example of how collaboration between industry, labor and community can deliver real results.

Advanced nuclear technology is essential to meeting New York’s ambitious clean energy goals. Wind and solar are critical, but to keep our grid stable and our economy growing, we also need zero-emission power that’s available around the clock. That’s what advanced nuclear provides and it’s what Oswego already does best.

Building this facility here would bring thousands of union construction jobs and hundreds of permanent, family-sustaining positions. It would expand opportunities for local schools, colleges and training programs, and it would strengthen the regional economy for decades to come. Just as importantly, it would reaffirm something Oswego has always known: that clean energy and good jobs go hand in hand.

This moment is about more than power generation — it’s about leadership. It’s about showing that Oswego can continue to lead the nation in clean energy innovation. With Constellation’s proven expertise, our unions’ unmatched skill, and the deep community pride that defines this region, Oswego isn’t just ready for the next era of nuclear energy — it’s built for it.

Gov. Hochul has made a call for the first new nuclear power in a generation, producing at least one gigawatt of clean energy to enhance grid reliability and meet state climate goals. Oswego is ready to answer that call and power New York’s next great energy chapter.