Op-ed: How about a smaller option for nuclear power?

During a recent heat wave, the New York Independent System Operator, the entity responsible for operating the state’s electric grid, issued multiple energy watches (meaning the grid had a “lower energy supply”), and even an energy warning (meaning we had “the potential to enter emergency operations due to lower reserves”). While our grid weathered those challenges, it is critical that policymakers keep an eye to the future to ensure that we don’t experience grid failures, which would pose serious risks to New Yorkers — not only to their wallets, but to their health and safety as well.

To that end, we can look to NYISO’s recently released “Power Trends 2025” report on the state of New York’s electric grid and markets. You need not look far to see red flags, such as a section in the overview entitled, “Reliability margins are declining.” The report warns of the impacts of the loss of existing energy-generation facilities and New York’s policy goals, stating, “consumers face greater risk of outages if the resources needed for reliability are unavailable due to policy mandates or failures associated with aging equipment.”

A deeper delve into the report reveals that, contrary to what you might assume, New York has experienced a significant net loss  of energy-generating resources since 2019. During that time, our state has had 4,315 megawatts of generator deactivations compared with only 2,274 MW of new generating resources. This equates to losing the capacity to power roughly 2 million homes.

There is no doubt that new energy-generation capacity needs to be brought online, but it is essential that it is done in a way that New Yorkers can afford. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration data, New York electricity prices are already eighth-highest in the nation, and residential electricity prices are nearly 50 percent higher than the national average. We must also be mindful that future development is consistent with the values and priorities of impacted communities, so that no communities are singled out to bear the brunt of our grid’s needs or Albany’s goals.

One potentially positive development on those fronts came in the form of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement that New York would pursue the development and construction of an advanced nuclear power plant upstate. While I have raised the alarm with other lawmakers about rigid mandates and unrealistic timelines as Albany pursues a zero-emissions future, I agree that there are benefits to reducing emissions and diversifying our energy portfolio, provided that we simultaneously prioritize affordability and reliability.

Nuclear power would almost assuredly be a critical part of any future low- or zero-emissions grid, because it serves as a baseload generator, in contrast to intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. It also provides another option for communities seeking energy production with a smaller land-use footprint, given that solar and wind require approximately 30 times and 170 times the amount of land to produce the same amount of energy as nuclear, respectively. Given the geography and population density of Long Island, a smaller physical footprint makes nuclear power more attractive, but, conversely, that geography and population density could pose significant logistical and safety concerns for traditional nuclear reactors, particularly when it comes to evacuation plans.

A potential alternative is small modular reactors, a type of advanced reactor that comes in more compact sizes than current reactors, and eliminates many of the concerns associated with traditional reactors. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has even approved one SMR developer’s emergency planning zone sizing methodology that is expected to result in a zone extending only to the power plant’s site boundary.

Unfortunately, thus far, Long Island appears to have been excluded from future nuclear considerations. That’s why I am introducing legislation to require the Long Island Power Authority to conduct a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study relating to its development, either alone or jointly, with other entities through the use of public-private agreements, of small modular reactors, with a focus on affordability and reliability. The bill would also amend the current prohibition on LIPA from constructing or operating nuclear-powered facilities in its service area so that it would not apply to SMRs.

By exploring advanced technologies and utilizing strategic investments and public-private partnerships, we can help control costs for Long Island ratepayers, all while boosting grid reliability, reducing emissions, and giving communities another option to meet the needs of their residents.