The Biggest Impediment to Kathy Hochul’s Pro-Nuclear Plan for New York Is the Government
New York is jockeying to build the first advanced nuclear power plant in the nation.
On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced that she was directing “the state’s public electric utility to add at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear-power generation to its aging fleet of reactors,” reports The Wall Street Journal. This is enough to power roughly 1 million homes. The state’s three nuclear power plants generated 22 percent of New York’s electricity in 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Hochul, who provided few specifics or a timeline of her plan, said that the New York Power Authority (the second largest government-owned utility in the country) will “develop and construct” the facility “either alone or in partnership with private entities.”
While Hochul’s announcement may normalize support for the energy source in the United States, her idea to have the government lead the way could thwart the plan’s success. It’s also a surprising strategy given New York’s history of using government coercion to shut down the energy source.
In 2021, Indian Point Energy Center, a two-gigawatt nuclear power plant less than 50 miles from New York City, was shut down under pressure from then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, who said having a nuclear power plant that close to a city defied “basic sanity.” After the closure of the plant, which met about a quarter of NYC’s electricity needs with carbon-free power, the state’s carbon dioxide emissions climbed as more natural gas was brought on to replace Indian Point’s energy production.
Hochul, who was Cuomo’s lieutenant gov
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
