New York town with atomic symbol on its seal is vying for state's next nuclear plant

Across New York, nuclear projects have often drawn fierce opposition. 

Oswego, however, has taken a different path: in the Lake Ontario city of roughly 17,000, the industry is part of civic life, and local officials are seeking to add one more reactor, the Times Union reported.

Here's what to know

With Gov. Kathy Hochul promoting new nuclear construction in New York, leaders in Oswego are arguing that their community should be chosen for an additional reactor.

Backers of the idea say Oswego has an advantage few places can claim: residents have spent decades living near nuclear facilities and have largely come to see them as a normal part of the area.

That familiarity is reflected in local symbolism as well as public sentiment. 

The Oswego County seal features an atomic emblem, and Oswego city historian Mark Slosek described the prevailing attitude this way: "The attitude of the community now is that we've got three, we've got room for another one."

Together, the area's existing plants employ nearly 1,500 people full time, provide about $45 million each year to local governments, and produce enough electricity for around 2 million homes.

Other parts of New York have responded very differently to nuclear power. 

A plant on Long Island was completed in 1984 but never entered commercial service after a public backlash, while the Indian Point reactors in Westchester County shut down in 2021 following years of opposition over safety, evacuation, and security.

More background

Oswego's position stands out. Nuclear power remains one of the most contested parts of the clean energy transition. 

On one hand, nuclear plants can generate large amounts of electricity with low carbon air pollution while helping keep the grid reliable. On the other, they continue to raise concerns over radioactive waste, safety risks, extremely high upfront costs, and connections to weapons proliferation. 

On top of that, building a new nuclear power plant or reactor takes much longer than building solar or wind farms. 

Much of the local support in Oswego, though, is tied to economics. 

"Working at the nuclear plants was like hitting the lotto, it was the best-paying job around here," said Gil Oldenburg, a former Nine Mile Point employee who worked there for nearly 40 years.

National data supports that perception. A 2024 Department of Energy report found that nuclear plant jobs nationwide have a median hourly wage of $56, above that of other major electricity-sector roles. That's great for those who get the jobs, though it also points to the high ongoing expense of nuclear power compared to the relatively low upkeep costs associated with solar panels in particular. 

Laurie O'Brien's experience also shows how familiarity has shaped opinion in Oswego. 

The owner of three local restaurants said that when she moved from Los Angeles in the late 1980s, she expected to encounter anti-nuclear sentiment and instead found the reverse.

"It was kind of shocking to walk into a community where it was like [the] complete opposite, where people really truly embraced it," she recalled.

What's being done?

Hochul's push to grow New York's nuclear capacity has given communities such as Oswego an opportunity to make their case.

Local business owners and former plant workers are emphasizing the same benefits in calling for another reactor: stable jobs, dependable tax revenue, and electricity that can be generated around the clock without depending on weather.

They also point to ripple effects beyond the plants themselves. 

Shane Broadwell, whose family owns hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the area, noted that periodic maintenance shutdowns bring in temporary workers who spend money across town and "help kind of lift everybody out of their winter hole."

New York has already taken steps to preserve nuclear generation. 

Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo created a ratepayer-funded incentive program to help keep financially pressured reactors operating, similar to support used for wind and solar.

A new reactor is also tied to regional growth as Micron prepares major semiconductor investments in nearby Onondaga County.

"We are looking forward to seeing things coming in, so our grandkids will actually have a job, and won't have to leave town," Oldenburg commented.

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