NY Gov Hochul Adds 4GW to Her Nuclear Plan

• Gov Hochul Adds 4GW to New York Nuclear Plan
• DOE Establishes Center for Used Fuel Research at Idaho National Laboratory
• LIS Plans $1.38 billion Laser Enrichment Plant at Oak Ridge, TN
• DOE And NASA Commit To Put a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon By 2030
• Type One Fusion Raises $87 Million
• Thea Energy Completes Fusion Power Plant Design Review

Gov Hochul Adds 4GW to New York Nuclear Plan

 (NucNet contributed to this report) New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled an ambitious new nuclear power initiative that would add 4 GW of new nuclear energy to existing capacity in the state, and it comes on top of recently announced plans for a new 1 GW plant.

The Nuclear Reliability Backbone initiative would now add a total 5 GW of capacity to the state’s existing 3.4 GW, creating a total of 8.4 GW. (Image: Google Gemini)

The announcement was made during Hochul’s ‘State of the State’ address in Albany, NY, on January 13th. It has the objective of creating reliable power for industry and homes and meeting growing electricity demands from data centers.

Creating a $45 billion Nuclear Backbone

The Nuclear Reliability Backbone project will be developed by the Department of Public Service (DPS), which will create a pathway to rolling out a further 4 GW of new nuclear energy and supporting the state’s aim to provide a zero-emission grid.

“By creating a stable foundation of always-on energy, the ‘Backbone’ will allow renewable resources to operate more efficiently and flexibly,” said Hochul. “Together, these actions will support a resilient, flexible, and zero-emission grid that meets New York’s growing energy needs.

Governor Hochul did not indicate how funding for first 1 GW and for the plan for an additional 4 GW of nuclear power, would be arranged by the New York Power Authority. At today’s global average cost of $9,000/kW, 1 GW would cost $9 billion and the added 4,000 MW of power would cost $36 billion for a total of $45 billion. Overall, the State of New York has lined up a series of five future final investment decisions that rival or exceed some of the current national nuclear programs taking place elsewhere on the planet.

Also, there was no estimate of the timeline for building the news reactors which would extend well beyond Hochul’s term of office. The current global average time to build a 1,000 MW plant is eight years. Assuming the reactors would be built in staggered schedules similar to the timeline for the four PWRs built in the UAE, if the the first unit broke ground by 2030, the last unit would be completed by 2042.

It is likely the four of the five reactors would be built in clusters of two in order to achieve economies of scale for procurement and efficiency in using thousands of skilled trades workers to built them. The fifth GW might be allocated to small modular reactors spread around the state as a political tilt towards sharing the wealth with localities that did not win the any of 1 GW sweepstakes prizes.

A key benefit of the project would be the location of supply chain firms in New York to provide steel, concrete, and many nuclaer and non-nuclear items plus construction related services. Communities that host the new construction will see temporary booms in local housing needs as well as rapid growth in demand for local government and health care services. The state government may find itself having to provide forward funding to these communties to meeting these needs as tax revenues from local sources would not be able to keep up with these kinds of rapid increases in temporary population.

An additional initiative will be launched to develop a “skilled, in-state nuclear workforce through coordinated education and training pathways.” The size of the undertaking fot 5 GW would require a construction workforce of as many as 5,000 people per site, and a permanent workforce of a minimum of about 500-600 people for each reactor.

According to governor’s press statement, the NextGen Nuclear New York initiative will aim to align educational curriculums, credentials, and career pathways with industry needs, as well as supporting workforce transitions for existing energy workers and increasing public awareness of nuclear career opportunities.

First 1 GW Project Sees a Robust Response

The announcement of the Nuclear Reliability Backbone project follows news recently that 23 developers and partners have expressed interest in the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) plans to develop a new1 GW nuclear plant in the state.

Among those to express interest in collaborating with the project were Acccenture, Aecom, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Holtec, NextEra Energy Resources, Rolls Royce,and Westinghouse.

In addition, eight communities expressed their interest in hosting the project. These were Broome County, Jefferson County, Oswego County, Schuyler County, St. Lawrence County, Wayne County, City of Dunkirk and RED-Rochester, which manages energy use at Eastman Business Park, near the Ginna nuclear station.

No doubt all of these companies and communities that expressed interest in 1 GW of new nuclear power plants are now recalibrating their expressions of interest to either align them with the plan for an additional 4 GW or to assess if they might be biting off more than they can chew with projects at this scale.

Political Shifts from Red to Blue May Be the Play Book

A political perspective is that in Hochul’s original proposal the governor targeted building one new 1,000 MW plant adjacent to one of three currently operating nuclear plants in and near Oswego in upstate New York. Initially, that decision was seen as being driven by the factors favoring building new nuclear plants near operating units to take advantage of grid connections, transportation infrastructure, and other common factors.

By provisioning a massive public works program in the region, Holchu may be trying to significantly alter historical voting patterns from red to blue. Holchu’s win in 2022 was based on votes in the major urban cities in New York. Rural areas, including Oswego County (CD24), voted overwhelmingly for the republican candidate Lee Zeldin who took 67% of the vote there

Since 2023, CD24 has been represented by deeply committed Trump supporter Rep. Claudia Tenney. In the 2022 election for governor her District voted more strongly Republican than any other district in the state. Prior to the redistricting which took effect in 2023, the district included the city of Syracuse.

A sitting Democratic governor in the partisan world of New York politics does not make plans to invest tens of billions of new capital spending in the state’s ‘red’ regions without an objective of swinging voters there to see the benefits of voting for ‘blue’ candidates in state and even national elections.

New York’s 24th congressional district is located in upstate New York in the Finger Lakes region, stretching alongside Lake Ontario from Oswego near Buffalo in the west to Watertown in the east. The district does not include Rochester, which is in the 25th district.

Four deep ‘red’ counties expressed interest in the reactors are located along New York’s northern border with Lake Ontario – Oswego, Wayne, St. Lawrence, and Jefferson. Two counties –  Schuyler County, Broome County – are located in rural southern New York along its border with Pennsylvania. The City of Dunkirk is located on the western edge of New New York on the shoreline of Lake Erie. The Rochchester, NY, area is considered to be ‘blue.’

As a practical matter, the siting decisions for four 1,000 MW PWR, or some combination of small modular reactors and full size plants, will favor locations on or very near the Lake Ontario shoreline. For instance, Ohio’s two nuclear power plants – Davis-Besse and Perry plants, are both located on the shoreline of Lake Erie.

This factor tilts site selection toward the line of ‘red’ counties that share Lake Ontario’s southern shoreline. In a nutshell targeting capital infrastructure spending in the tens of billions aligns with an unspoken but obvious political objectives in a ‘red’ region that can also leverage a key geophysical reality of proximity to the cool waters of Lake Ontario as the basis for site selection.

Grid Dynamics

The long-term prospect of construction of 5 GW of nuclear powered generating capacity will attract energy hungry data centers to the region. However, having the actual power on the grid from these reactors is at least a decade in the future. This means that data centers looking for power in today’s energy markets are going to push their demand for it on the New York grid as its exists today although some natural gas plants will likely be built in the next few years.

Regardless of where the reactors are located, new grid connections would likely be significant undertakings especially if the reactors are built at greenfield sites. As part of her overall plan, Hochul will tap DPS to launch the new ‘Energize NY Development’ initiative with the goal of modernizing how large energy users connect to the grid, making it faster and more predictable, and requiring strict conditions to protect ratepayers.

The effort has multiple objectives. It aims to streamline interconnection rules and improve transparency around grid upgrades while explicitly requiring that data center projects driving exceptional demand, without exceptional job creation or other benefits, cover the costs they create, or supply their own energy.

Holchu said the state would advance a new initiative to make sure that data centers pay their fair share in electricity costs. This policy could stimulate private wire power projects including mini-reactors.

“Unlike other sectors, data centers consume massive amounts of finite resources and place an unprecedented strain on the electric grid without creating many jobs in the process.”

To this end, she said that these industries must pay more, or if not, supply their own energy.

Holchu added that by accelerating responsible developmentm and requiring data centers to shoulder their own burden, Energize NY Development will support job creation, industry growth and economic investment across the state while sparing ratepayers additional pressure on utility bills. It is a noble vision, but it is also one that requires collaboration and consensus among many stakeholders including federal and state regulatory agencies that control grid development and use.

NYPA president and chief executive officer Justin Driscoll said, “NYPA is quickly advancing efforts to develop an advanced nuclear project in upstate New York that will strengthen the reliability and resiliency of our state’s electric grid and deliver substantial economic benefits to residents.”

A “Pivotal Moment” for New York

Given the politics of Holchu predecessor, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, who forced the closure of the 2,200 MW of nuclear power at the Indian Point site, Holchu’s multi-reactor plan is not only a 180 turnaround, it is what John Carlson, Senior Northeast Regional Policy Manager at global nonprofit organization Clean Air Task Force, calls a “pivotal moment” for New York.

“By tasking the Public Service Commission to develop the market frameworks to enable these new builds, Goveror Hochul is ensuring that ratepayer interests and affordability are at the forefront while building the clean, economical grid of the future, one that also supports workforce development, strengthens municipal tax bases, and delivers these economic benefits to local communities.”

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DOE Establishes Center for Used Fuel Research at Idaho National Laboratory

• Department of Energy designates Idaho National Laboratory as its leading institution for critical research, development, and demonstration efforts concerning used nuclear fuel management.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy announced the establishment of the Center for Used Fuel Research (Center) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), officially designating INL as its leading institution for critical research, development, and demonstration efforts concerning used nuclear fuel (UNF) management.  (White Paper – PDF file)

This strategic move underscores the DOE’s renewed commitment to solving one of the nation’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges and delivers on a key element of the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement establishing INL as the DOE lead used nuclear fuel research laboratory. 

The new Center is specifically designed to be a national and international hub for applied research on the management of UNF that supports and maintains compliance, and advances public confidence in the safe storage and transportation of both commercial and DOE-managed UNF.

This initiative directly addresses DOE’s statutory responsibility for the disposition of UNF and would not have been possible without DOE and the State of Idaho agreeing to a targeted waiver of the 1995 Settlement Agreement, which happened in April 2025. 

“Responsible management of used nuclear fuel is essential to the future of nuclear energy in the United States,” said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish.

As the lead institution, INL will coordinate a broad and diverse collaboration through a “hub-and-spoke” model. This network will encompass other national laboratories within the DOE complex, leading universities, and key industry partners across the United States. Crucially, the Center will also extend its support and actively collaborate with international partners.

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LIS Plans $1.38 billion Laser Enrichment Plant at Oak Ridge, TN

LIS Technologies Inc. a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology, announced LIST will create 203 jobs and invest $1.38 billion in its future flagship commercial scale laser-based uranium enrichment facility on the  footprint of the K-25 Uranium Enrichment Site in Oak Ridge. This will be the third largest nuclear-related investment since the creation of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Nuclear Energy Fund.

Following the renaming of the 206-acre Duct Island to LIST Island and its redevelopment to house the Company’s commercial laser-based uranium enrichment headquarters, Oak Ridge, TN is expected to become the site of a commercial laser uranium enrichment facility, supporting U.S. utilities, next-generation reactor developers, and national defense requirements in support of the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

Subject to licensing, permitting, and final investment decisions, the company intends to break ground and begin site preparation and civil construction in 2026. LIST is targeting initial commercial operations before 2030, positioning its laser enrichment facility to meet accelerating demand for domestically sourced uranium enrichment.

LIS Technologies Inc. Announces Funding Round of $17 Million

LIS Technologies announced that it has closed its 240% oversubscribed $17 Million funding round. The round attracted participation from a single large, accredited investor that accounted for the majority of initial raise, along with returning advanced nuclear technology investors, and Company insiders.

LIS Technologies is one of six domestic U.S. companies awarded the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by DOE in 2024 to participate in the up to $3.4 billion Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program to build back the nuclear fuel supply chain, with contracts lasting for up to 10 years.

The company’s proprietary Condensation Repression Isotope Selective Laser Activation (CRISLA) technology is a  U.S.-origin and patented advanced laser enrichment solution.

LIS says it is “optimized for Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU), which is crucial for the continued operation of the United States’ current fleet of nuclear reactors, and High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is required to power the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors.”

The funding secured in this round will enable the company to develop its enrichment capabilities and infrastructure in Oak Ridge, TN and to eventually demonstrate the production of LEU in a single stage, HALEU in two stages, and diversify the CRISLA technology into stable isotopes and medical isotopes with fully scaled and industrialized equipment.

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DOE And NASA Commit To Put a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon By 2030

• Agreement also includes plans to use fission plant for missions to Mars

(NucNet) The US Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA have renewed their commitment to a longstanding partnership to support the research and development of a fission surface power system for use on the Moon and future NASA. missions to Mars.

A joint statement by NASA and DOE on 01/13/26 said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the agencies solidifies the collaboration to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit. This will include the development of a lunar surface reactor by 2030.

The DOE and NASA said they anticipate deploying a fission surface power system capable of producing electrical power that will be able to operate for years without the need to refuel.

According to NASA, nuclear fission systems, which are relatively small and lightweight compared to other power systems, could enable continuous power regardless of location, temperature, available sunlight and other conditions.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said the US is committed to returning to the Moon, building the infrastructure to stay, and making the investments required for the next giant leap to Mars and beyond.

“Achieving this future requires harnessing nuclear power.”

In August it was reported that NASA was fast-tracking plans to deploy a nuclear energy source on the lunar surface by 2030, viewing it as a strategic imperative to prevent Chinese dominance in the “second space race”.

In March 2024, the head of Russia’s space agency said Moscow was working on plans with Beijing on ways to deliver and install a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035.

UK engineering giant Rolls-Royce has unveiled a nuclear space microreactor concept model that is part of a UK Space Agency backed research program to deliver an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.

Zeno Power is developing nuclear batteries (also known as radioisotope power systems) which use radioactive isotopes such as strontium-90 and americium-241 as fuel. As these materials naturally decay, they emit heat that can be used directly or converted into electricity using thermoelectric generators or a Stirling engine.

None of the developers of fission plants for lunar use or on Mars provided any technical details of the type of reactor technologies and fuels that would used in their power systems.

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Type One Fusion Raises $87 Million

Fusion power startup Type One Energy recently raised $87 million. The new funding is a convertible note that brings the total venture investment in the startup to more than $160 million. According to a report by TechCrunch Type One is also in the midst of raising a $250 million Series B at a $900 million pre-money valuation, according to sources and later confirmed by the company.

Like other energy startups, Type One has benefited from a surge in demand from data centers and the broader electrification of the economy. Data centers are expected to use nearly three times more electricity by 2035, while overall electricity demand is forecast to grow by 4% annually through next year.

Type One will employ magnetic confinement in its stellarator design. In a stellarator, magnets are arranged in a doughnut shape that’s twisted and turned according to the demands of the plasma. Previously built stellarators have been able to control plasma for long periods of time, though none have been built yet so far to produce electrical power on a sustained basis.

TechCrunch noted that last year, Type One signed deals with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to place the startup’s first commercial power plant at the site of the former Bull Run Fossil Plant, a coal-fired power plant that was retired in 2023. Infinity Two, as the power plant is called, is expected to generate 350 MW of electricity and could come online in the mid-2030s. Type One is planning to sell key technology to the TVA and power providers, who will build, own, and operate the plants.

Type One had previously raised a $29 million seed round in 2023 that was extended to a total of $82.5 million in 2024. Investors in that round included Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, and TDK Ventures.

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Thea Energy Completes Fusion Power Plant Design Review

According to The Fusion Report, the U.S. Department of Energy has certified Thea Energy’s preconceptual “Helios” pilot plant design following a comprehensive review by independent fusion experts from national laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

he certification makes the New Jersey-based stellarator developer the first awardee in the DOE’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program to complete its final major design milestone, validating both the physics basis and engineering feasibility of putting fusion power on the grid. (Overview of Technical Details with Images – PDF file)

“This final design milestone, now certified by the DOE, substantiates the validity of the planar coil stellarator and shows a clear pathway to a deployable power plant,” said Brian Berzin, co-founder and CEO of Thea Energy.

DOE reviewers conducted an on-site visit to Thea Energy’s Kearny headquarters and evaluated a 200-page technical report detailing the Helios design.

The pilot plant will follow “Eos,” a large-scale demonstration system designed to achieve power-plant-relevant, steady-state fusion by 2030. The company is currently evaluating five states for the Eos facility and expects to announce its site selection this year.

The company has raised over $30 million in private funding, including a $20 million Series A led by Prelude Ventures in early 2024, and receives additional non-dilutive funding through DOE programs including six INFUSE awards supporting collaboration with national laboratories.

About DOE’s The DOE’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program

The DOE’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program was modeled after NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services initiative, the pay-for-performance structure credited with catalyzing the private space industry. Eight companies were selected in May 2023: Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Focused Energy, Princeton Stellarators (now Thea Energy), Realta Fusion, Tokamak Energy, Type One Energy, Xcimer Energy, and Zap Energy.

All eight awardees have been working toward presenting preconceptual designs and technology roadmaps within the first 18 months of the program. Thea Energy is the first among them to receive DOE certification of its complete pilot plant design.

Other awardees have completed earlier milestones. Focused Energy produced computational modeling for its laser-driven inertial fusion target design and demonstrated ion beam focusing. Realta Fusion completed whole-device modeling of simple mirror equilibria. Commonwealth Fusion Systems received validation for manufacturing and testing a production toroidal field magnet.

The program requires companies to provide more than 50% of milestone costs, with DOE validation serving as a credibility signal for subsequent fundraising. The Fusion Report noted that milestone awardees have collectively raised over $350 million in new private funding since selection, compared to $46 million in federal funding initially committed.

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