About

Nuclear New York is an independent, non-partisan advocacy organization working towards a prosperous decarbonized future and nature conservation. We conduct rigorous research, education, policy advocacy, and non-intrusive activism. Nuclear New York is a project of Community Studies of New York, Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Nuclear power is indispensable for protecting nature and elevating humanity. As an electricity source, nuclear provides reliable carbon-free energy with minimal land, ecological, and human health impacts. Nuclear plants can produce electricity on demand, thereby substantially reducing the total amount of installed generation capacity, transmission infrastructure, and storage required for decarbonization. These system-level efficiencies materially lower costs to consumers. Furthermore, civilian nuclear technology can efficiently provide direct heat and hydrogen for industrial processes, produce low-carbon liquid fuels to decarbonize transportation, and power negative emission technologies. Nuclear plants also generate life-saving isotopes for modern medicine. Nuclear energy can usher a clean energy revolution that brings well-paid meaningful work to New York, underwriting vibrant, healthy, and prosperous communities.

We are an extremely diverse group of individuals with different political affiliations, economic theories, cultural backgrounds, and walks of life. We are united in advocating for evidence-based policy design and collaborate with eminent climate scientists, science communicators, environmental activists, energy investors, labor and community organizers. We invite respectful dialogue with groups skeptical of nuclear power. What’s your superpower? Analyzing energy systems, leading demonstrations, or mixing drinks? We’d love to have you join us!

Our advocacy:

• reward nuclear plants for their low-carbon, low-air-pollution, reliable electricity generation, and prevent them from premature shutdown until replaced by alternate resources with superior characteristics,
• support the development of next generation nuclear plants in New York, an essential facet as we electrify the rest of the economy, and
• act as a beacon to the rest of the world leveraging New York’s cultural appeal. 

Opportunity

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are allocating $40 billion into the U.S. nuclear power sector over the coming decade. This tectonic shift in the landscape of federal policy marks the beginning of a new era for Made in America nuclear energy. With largely domestic supply chains and STEM workforce, nuclear has the largest economic multiplier effect of any clean energy technology. Nuclear workers in the U.S. also enjoy the highest wages of all energy sector employees and benefit from the highest rates of unionization.

If New York fails to make timely investments in firm carbon-free generation, the state will fail the next generation by not facilitating a smooth transition to a cleaner energy portfolio. Moreover, if New York hesitates to act on advanced nuclear, it will miss out on federal funding that other states receive and squander the opportunity to establish itself as a world leader in this emerging high-tech industry.

More and more scientifically-informed environmental groups are recognizing that nuclear power is necessary to fight climate change. Nuclear power can scale to the climate challenge, and advanced industrial democracies like the U.K., France, Canada, and Japan are following China and India at building new power plants. New York possesses the skills, spirit of innovation, and financial prowess to be a leader in nuclear energy.