Assemblyman Gray hosts nuclear energy forum

 Jul 9, 2025 

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Experts in the energy industry spent two hours detailing the benefits of nuclear energy to local officials after Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority to explore advanced nuclear energy.

The event, put together by Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, was organized to educate leaders and stakeholders in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Gray said the event, held at Bonnie Castle Resort, was a success.

“This is going to be a step-by-step process,” he said.

Up until Tuesday, Gray said he hadn’t heard anyone put a request in to New York State Energy Research and Development, or NYSERDA, but people didn’t have the knowledge, he said.

“Two days later, this (event) was birthed,” Gray said. “I was shocked at the knowledge that we had in the room.”

Industry leaders reassured the officials that a nuclear power plant is safe and could create many new high-paying jobs.

The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, or GAIN, stated that a nuclear plant can bring “lasting jobs” to the plant for 40 to 80 years. They also say both direct jobs and indirect jobs are created, while other energy technologies, like wind, solar, and gas, only bring construction jobs.

“(These are) good jobs, not only for construction, but for the operation and maintenance of these facilities,” Gray said. “Let’s be less parochial and let’s think about what it does for us right here and that is good, quality jobs.”

Gray said his biggest takeaway was how safe the plant would be as industry leaders stated that advancements in technology have made nuclear facilities much safer.

“We’re here, we’re raising our hand, we’re supportive, we know what the process takes,” Gray said. “We’re never going to have another opportunity unless we raise our hand and we step out there and say, ‘Hey, we’re here.’”

The full room at the event indicated people are eager to learn more about nuclear energy, Gray said.

“I think you saw a receptivity from the community,” he said.

As for what’s next, Gray said they are hoping to get feedback from those in attendance at the forum.

“I think this is a strong message to the agencies that were here tonight, that the north country is prepared and the north country is positive about this,” Gray said.

There has not been a guarantee yet on where the potential plant would be built.

According to the United States Department of Energy, nuclear power contributes almost 20% of the electricity generated in America.

Assemblyman Gray hosts nuclear energy forum | Business | nny360.com

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