FREDONIA, N.Y. – As New York moves forward with plans to expand advanced nuclear power, State Senator George Borrello hosted a Local Leaders "Nuclear 101" Forum at SUNY Fredonia to help local elected officials and business leaders better understand the opportunities advanced nuclear could present for Dunkirk, Chautauqua County and the surrounding region.

The event featured a panel of experts from academia, the nuclear industry, organized labor, finance and government who discussed advanced reactor technology, workforce development, project financing, nuclear safety, spent fuel management and regional siting considerations. Organized in partnership with the nonprofit Nuclear New York, the program was designed to give local decision-makers factual information as New York evaluates potential locations for future advanced nuclear development.

Borrello said the forum was intended to educate, not advocate.

"The forum wasn't about convincing anyone to support a particular project," Senator Borrello said. "It was about making sure our local elected officials, manufacturers and other stakeholders understand what advanced nuclear technology actually looks like today. These are not the plants people remember from decades ago. They're smaller, safer, more flexible and designed to provide reliable, around-the-clock electricity for an economy that is becoming increasingly dependent on energy-intensive industries like advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence." 

The event comes as New York State advances plans to develop up to five gigawatts of new advanced nuclear generation. As part of that effort, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) invited upstate communities to express interest in hosting future projects, and Dunkirk was one of eight communities to submit an application. 

Among the key takeaways shared by panelists were:
 

• Advanced nuclear reactors are far more compact than many people realize. The heart of a gigawatt-scale reactor that could power roughly 1 million homes is small enough to fit inside the Williams Center conference room where the forum was held. The full power plant facility would occupy only about 15 acres. Producing the same amount of electricity with solar would require roughly 30,000 acres. 
   
• Federal support for advanced nuclear is substantial. Panelists noted that both the current and previous presidential administrations have supported expanding advanced nuclear generation, with federal incentives expected to cover approximately 30 to 50 percent of a project's total cost. 
   
• Construction timelines are improving. Advances in reactor design and federal permitting reforms are expected to significantly shorten timelines for new plants, including small modular reactors. 
   
• Dunkirk has several competitive advantages. Existing transmission infrastructure, an experienced energy workforce and the former NRG generating station position the community well should New York pursue an advanced nuclear project in Western New York. Earlier this year, the property was acquired by Genover, a company specializing in redeveloping legacy industrial sites, which is now leading planning for its future use. 
   
• The economic impact would be significant. Skilled trades representatives said advanced nuclear projects support hundreds of high-paying jobs, with approximately 700 workers needed to support each gigawatt of power generation and average skilled labor salaries approaching six figures.
   

“Our community has lived with uncertainty at the NRG site for far too long, and we are determined to make a change. If New York is moving forward with advanced nuclear, then Dunkirk deserves to be fully informed, fully engaged and fully at the table. This isn’t a decision to rush — it’s a conversation that demands facts, expertise and the voices of our residents front and center. Educated forums helped cut through decades of misconceptions and gave us a clear foundation to evaluate whether this opportunity can deliver the jobs, stability and long‑term economic strength our families deserve. Dunkirk will not accept outdated assumptions or misinformation; we will insist on transparency, accountability and a future that positions our community to lead,” said Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz. 

"Chautauqua County has a proud history of powering New York, and we should be part of the conversation about its energy future. Advanced nuclear technology presents an opportunity to build on our existing energy infrastructure, create family-sustaining careers, strengthen our economy, and provide the reliable, around-the-clock power that businesses and industries depend on. I appreciate Senator Borrello for bringing together experts to provide factual information and foster an open dialogue. As these discussions continue, it's important that our community has a seat at the table and carefully evaluates every opportunity that could benefit the residents of Dunkirk and all of Chautauqua County,” said Paul M. Wendel Jr., Chautauqua County Executive.

“I am glad that I could be an active participant in this important event”, said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development/CCIDA CEO. “We need to continue the momentum we have gained through all of the work we undertook leading up to the recent purchase of the Dunkirk NRG Facility by Genover. This event was an important first step in dispelling misinformation about a nuclear repowering option, and lays the groundwork for future discussions and initiatives that will hopefully lead to a scenario that benefits not only Dunkirk, but the region and state as a whole.”

“The leaders who took part came ready to challenge every assumption and press for the facts, which is exactly the standard our energy future deserves. Nuclear waste, once understood as minimally used nuclear fuel, proves to be one of this industry’s most valuable resources. It is among the most rigorously accounted for substances on earth and still holds the overwhelming majority of its original energy,” said Carl Perez, CEO of Exodys Energy.

"We are excited by the potential for advanced nuclear coming to Dunkirk and other upstate communities," said Keith Schue, Co-Executive Director of the non-profit, non-partisan organization Nuclear New York. "Clean baseload nuclear power will not only strengthen our grid. It holds the key to a new age of prosperity for American industry and workforce development in western New York and across the state."