State lawmakers outside New York City have started to express interest in a recent directive from the governor to build a new nuclear power plant upstate — accelerating a brewing battle between state leaders and environmentalists who disagree a new facility is the right approach to reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on June 23 ordered the New York Power Authority to explore the first construction of a nuclear power plant in a generation to improve the reliability of the electric grid and ease the burden on taxpayers in the race meet steep emission reduction goals required under the Climate Act.

Some upstate electeds are excited by the prospect of the governor's plan to build a new nuclear energy facility and generate at least 1 gigawatt of electricity.

"If Gov. Hochul and [New York state Energy Research & Development Authority] NYSERDA is looking for somebody to raise their hand, we, the North Country, wanted to raise our hand," Assemblyman Scott Gray said. "Not only are we interested, but we understand the process going forward. We understand the level of perceptions that are out there that have to be addressed."

Gray sees Hochul’s order to develop a new nuclear reactor in the state as an economic opportunity for the North Country.

The Republican assemblyman convened a roundtable in Northern New York this week to educate local officials about the long-term benefits a facility could bring to the area and address concerns about potential risks.

Gray said the nearby U.S. Army military base Fort Drum or existing hydropower dam in Massena could serve as ideal locations for the state's new reactor.

"There's not only the construction jobs that you see in the renewable sector, but there are the ongoing jobs of operation and maintenance of each plants — and these are good-paying jobs," he told Spectrum News 1. 

Republican lawmakers are quick to decry the speed state leaders have committed to electrify buildings and infrastructure – arguing the state's electric grid can't handle it as it drives utility costs higher for taxpayers.

The state is behind schedule to meet aggressive emission benchmarks embedded in the 2019 Climate Act, including 70% zero-emission electricity by 2030.

Environmentalists Thursday said the new plant won't become reality without a fight.

"The governor is really recklessly pursuing dangerous, highly expensive technology without any legislative oversight and without any public input whatsoever," said Anne Rabe, statewide coordinator with Don't Waste NY.

Rabe argues nuclear power is expensive, takes years to construct and can be dangerous — citing past accidents where nuclear power plants melted down or exploded. And reactors generate a high level of radioactive waste and place a huge liability risk on the state, she added.

"It's too expensive and it's too slow when renewable energy, solar and wind and battery storage are known reasonable rates," Rabe said. "We should just move ahead with them."

Critics say state funds would be better spent on solar, wind power or geothermal heat to reduce energy demand.

"Nuclear is a firm resource that will help to stabilize electric bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation," a NYSERDA spokesperson said in a statement. 

And state lawmakers who lead environmental policy also agree Hochul's directive isn't the right move.

Senate Environmental Conservation Committee chair Pete Harckham said the state would be better off expanding clean energy like solar, which costs less than fossil fuels.

"The simple fact is, a kilowatt of wind and solar is far cheaper than gas, oil or nuclear," Harckham said. "...If the governor wants to talk about nuclear for long-term, or decades down the road, that's a different conversation. But when people try and talk about nuclear as a short-term solution to either clean energy goals or current power goals, that's a fallacy, because a plant is not going to be built for a minimum of 15 years."

NYSERDA is leading efforts to draft a master plan to develop advanced nuclear power in the state, which is anticipated by the end of 2026.

"[The agencies] will carefully consider the full spectrum of relevant issues, including evaluation of cost, job and economic development opportunities, supply chain, technology feasibility, regulatory matters, environmental justice, safety, waste and innovation," according to NYSERDA. 

Officials with NYSERDA, NYPA, the state Department of Public Services and other agencies are working to prepare an energy plan to be released later this summer to assess the affordability and reliability to meet projected future energy demands in the state while balancing climate change, energy costs for consumers and more.

State Budget Director Blake Washington announced Thursday the state will face a $3 billion budget gap next year under the latest tax reform and spending plan President Donald Trump signed last week. 

Building a new nuclear reactor costs billions of dollars, but Washington said private companies will likely pick up the construction costs, and most would not be funded by taxpayers.

"They're the ones that have the means to do it," he told reporters in Albany. "That process hasn't been done in a very long time. But generally speaking, I haven't seen a real proposal before me."

*Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify Gov. Kathy Hochul's directive to the New York Power Authority to explore building a nuclear power plant and the distinction between a state energy plan to be released this summer and NYSERDA's Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development, which will be released by the end of 2026.