Advanced Nuclear Energy
NYSERDA, jointly with the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS), is currently developing a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York. Publication of the Master Plan is expected by the end of 2026.
Advanced nuclear technologies, developed using lessons learned over the decades of operating experience of the current fleet providing emissions-free baseload electricity in New York and around the world, are well positioned to help support continued grid stability and economic growth. Numerous assessments, including in the 2025 State Energy Plan 
, reinforce the recognition that advanced nuclear will play a critical role across the full range of our energy needs by supporting an affordable, reliable and clean grid, deliver system-wide savings, drive economic development, and meet load growth needs. In fact, the State Energy Plan estimated that a least-cost, zero-emission electricity system could include over five gigawatts of new nuclear power in 2050.
Advanced Nuclear Request for Information (Open)
To better understand the potential landscape of nuclear project development in New York, NYSERDA is soliciting information from entities that are interested in pursuing a potential role in advanced nuclear energy technology development in New York. The Request for Information (RFI) will help support consideration of next steps in advanced nuclear development in the State. Potential respondents include stakeholders interested in advanced nuclear solutions to serve their energy needs, supply chain entities, potential host communities, workforce entities, project developers, financing/funding entities, and those working on research and development.
The RFI is open, and responses are reviewed on an ongoing basis. View details and submit a response .
New York’s Nuclear Reliability Backbone for a Zero-Emission Grid
On January 13, 2026, Governor Hochul directed State agencies to establish a clear pathway towards a Nuclear Reliability Backbone of 8.4 gigawatts of nuclear generation for New York’s grid, comprising 3.4 GW of existing nuclear capacity, 1 GW of advanced nuclear development currently underway by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and a further incremental 4 GW announced by the Governor in her State of the State address.
The Nuclear Reliability Backbone will be developed by a new Department of Public Service (DPS) process and informed by findings from the ongoing Advanced Nuclear Master Plan developed jointly by NYSERDA and DPS.
To further understand how New York State can achieve a zero-emission electricity system by 2040, NYSERDA has completed a Zero by 40 Technoeconomic Assessment [PDF], intended to help inform the State’s assessment of the readiness and timing for the introduction of a variety of technologies that are being considered to meet this need, including long-duration energy storage, hydrogen, alternative fuels, and advanced nuclear. The completed Zero by Forty assessment is available here.
Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York
On January 14, 2025, Governor Hochul announced the start of a process to develop a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York. NYSERDA, together with DPS and working with other State Agencies, leads on the development of the Master Plan. As a first step, NYSERDA published a Blueprint for Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies [PDF] that sets out the scope of issues to be considered throughout the Master Plan process.
The development of the Master Plan will provide a framework for in-depth examination into the key issues raised by the Blueprint to develop recommendations for implementation of advanced nuclear technologies in New York State. The Master Plan development process is expected to conclude with publication by the end of 2026.
Questions or requests for additional information can be sent to [email protected].
Advanced Nuclear Technical Working Groups (TWGs)
NYSERDA established three Advanced Nuclear Technical Working Groups (TWGs) in workforce and supply chain, research and development, and fusion to bring key stakeholder groups together with state and federal regulators and the global nuclear industry. These working groups were formed to discuss some of the most pressing challenges to advanced nuclear development in the U.S. at a regional scale, helping to inform and shape development practices.
The TWGs (pronounced “twigs”) provide:
- Knowledgeable and representative voices
- A unique forum to discuss points of view and interests
- Regional, state, and federal perspectives
- Active problem-solving skills to address barriers through policy and program development
- Greater cross-sector understanding of perspectives and limitations
Workforce and Supply Chain Technical Working Group (WSC-TWG)
The WSC-TWG, an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA, will ensure New York State’s advanced nuclear workforce and supply chain strategies are informed by experts from across the state and region. The WSC-TWG is focusing on the strategic alignment of public investments in workforce development and supply chain capacity for advanced nuclear technologies by:
- Identifying workforce and skill needs across buildout scenarios,
- Assessing in-state, regional, and international supply chain capabilities by reactor type, and
- Modeling the economic impacts of New York State investment in advanced nuclear development.
The WSC-TWG will help inform the Workforce, Supply Chain, and Economic Development Study through a collaborative process meant to elicit a variety of perspectives informed by the knowledge and experience of subject matter experts and experienced stakeholders who have an interest in, and background related to nuclear power in New York State. Participants include representatives from:
- Labor
- Academia
- Advocacy Groups
- State agencies
- Suppliers
- Workforce training organizations
For public transparency, meeting summaries will be posted here shortly after each convening.
Fusion Technical Working Group (FUS-TWG)
The FUS-TWG is an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA with the goal of ensuring New York State’s strategy for nuclear fusion development is informed by experts from across the state and country. The FUS-TWG will provide:
- Insights on the current landscape of the fusion industry
- Knowledge of the advantages and risks for technology development
- Identification of commercialization gaps
- Assessment of in-state research and supply chain capabilities
- Consideration of possible policy options for New York State in this nascent industry
The FUS-TWG will help inform the Advanced Nuclear Master Plan Fusion Study through a collaborative process meant to elicit a variety of perspectives informed by the knowledge and experience of subject matter experts and experienced stakeholders who have an interest in, and background related to fusion technology in New York State.
For public transparency, meeting summaries will be posted here shortly after each convening.
Research and Development Technical Working Group (R&D-TWG)
The R&D-TWG is an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA focused on ensuring New York State’s strategy to support advanced nuclear research and development is informed by experts from across the state and country. The R&D-TWG is prioritizing the strategic alignment of the research and development needs for successful deployment of advanced nuclear technologies more broadly with New York specific capabilities and regional needs. The R&D-TWG will provide:
- Insight on high-impact opportunities and roles New York State could pursue to support advanced nuclear development by identifying relevant efforts and capabilities in the State
- Discussion on the risks R&D gaps pose to nuclear deployment
- Insight on what support is needed to overcome those gaps
Several key research topic areas will be discussed, including testing & validation infrastructure, manufacturing & project delivery, materials & components, site characterization & preparation, as well as innovations in fuel, fuel cycle, and spent nuclear fuel.
The R&D-TWG will help inform the R&D Study through a collaborative process meant to elicit a variety of perspectives informed by the knowledge and experience of subject matter experts and experienced stakeholders who have an interest in, and background related to the key topic areas and nuclear research in New York State.
For public transparency, meeting summaries will be posted here shortly after each convening.
Workforce and Supply Chain
As New York advances the Nuclear Reliability Backbone, NYSERDA is working with relevant agency partners to help ensure New Yorkers benefit from the jobs and investments essential to build, operate, and sustain this emerging industry. On January 13, 2026, Governor Hochul announced NextGen Nuclear New York to develop a skilled, in-state nuclear workforce through coordinated education and training pathways. This initiative builds on the NYSERDA-led Advanced Nuclear NY Summit convening of supply chain, workforce and economic development stakeholders held in October 2025, $40 million in new NYPA nuclear workforce development funding, and a nuclear workforce roundtable convened by NYPA in September 2025.
Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative
Co-led by New York State, the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative is a multistate effort to advance state coordination on new nuclear deployments, facilitated by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN).
Each of the eleven First Mover states (five state co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming and the participating states Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia) are engaging to facilitate public-private partnerships to bring down costs of first of a kind projects, reduce financial risks of advanced nuclear projects and ultimately deliver more power to the electric grid to aid in meeting demand and address energy affordability over the long term.
More information is available on the First Movers website .
Future Energy Economy Summit
The Future Energy Economy Summit, held in September 2024, convened New York State government, global and federal leaders, power producers, technical experts, and other key stakeholders to discuss the role of next generation clean energy technologies to accelerate renewable energy deployment while supporting economic development.
The Summit included discussion of advanced nuclear technologies as a potential opportunity for zero-emission electricity that would complement New York’s continued buildout of renewable energy resources. Advanced nuclear options have features that aim to improve on current operating reactors, including improvements in safety features, modular construction, and versatility in operation.
At the Future Energy Economy Summit, NYSERDA published a draft version of the abovementioned Blueprint and invited stakeholder comments. Stakeholder comments on the draft Blueprint offered both robust technical input as well as a broad spectrum of positions on the future development of advanced nuclear energy in New York. Comments have been considered and are reflected in the form of updates, corrections, and expansion of the discussion of issues in the Blueprint for Consideration of Advanced Nuclear published in January 2025. Comments will also inform the ongoing Master Plan process discussed above.
Statewide Nuclear Coordination and National Liaison Activities
Section 7-101 of NYS Energy Law requires NYSERDA to coordinate State programs affecting atomic energy activities; to advise and assist the Governor and Legislature with regard to such programs; and to make recommendations to the Governor designed to assure that these programs encourage the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, while protecting the interest, health, and safety of the public. Further, NYSERDA is required to correlate New York State atomic energy programs to those of the federal government and other states.
Within New York State, NYSERDA regularly coordinates with the New York State Departments of Public Service, New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation, State, Health, and the New York State Offices of Emergency Management, Counter Terrorism, and the Attorney General.
At the federal level to fulfill statutory requirements, NYSERDA’s President serves as the Governor’s designated State Liaison Officer (SLO) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), representing the primary communication channel between the State and the NRC. NYSERDA also regularly liaises with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and NYSERDA’s coordination authority also extends to the U.S. Department of War (DOW).
Engagement with other states occurs through the NRC SLO role and through the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO). For advanced nuclear, NYSERDA co-chairs two NASEO nuclear initiatives:
- In 2023, NASEO partnered with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), to form the NASEO-NARUC Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative (ANSC) with 32 member states. The ANSC convenes state officials to exchange information related to the planning and deployment of new advanced nuclear generation.
- The Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative discussed in greater detail above.
Related Programs
- Economic Development: NYSERDA is supporting clean technology and manufacturing companies in New York to help drive economic development in communities statewide, by investing in clean energy infrastructure and securing development-ready sites.
- Research & Development: NYSERDA is playing an active role to further research on a wide variety of nuclear power applications, such as reactor technology development and demonstration, fuel extraction, materials testing, and fleet efficiency, by leveraging New York State's extensive, high-quality energy research ecosystem.
- Radioactive Waste Policy and Reporting: NYSERDA monitors generation and management of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in New York pursuant to the New York State Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act (Chapter 673 of the Laws of 1986). Pursuant to that Act, NYSERDA collects annual reports from facilities in New York that produce, store, or dispose of LLRW and prepares an annual status report submitted to the Governor and legislative leaders.
- Zero by 2040 Target: Under its proceeding CASE 15-E-0302 (Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Implement a Large-Scale Renewable Program and a Clean Energy Standard), the Public Service Commission and Staff at the Department of Public Service are considering aspects related to New York’s target of zero emissions in the electricity sector by 2040, as set out in the Climate Act. NYSERDA completed the following Zero by 40 Technoeconomic Assessment [PDF].