Nuclear Energy Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Growth in New York
Randy Wolken, President & CEO

Nuclear energy has reemerged as a vital part of New York’s evolving energy landscape. At MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, we’re working with partners to help reshape how policymakers, industry leaders, and the public understand the role of nuclear power in a decarbonizing and growing economy. This isn’t simply an energy discussion; it’s a defining economic issue for our state’s future.

Our work is unfolding within a complex ecosystem of stakeholders. State leadership and direction are guided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and regulators within the Department of Public Service. These entities are charged with implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which prioritizes rapid decarbonization through renewable energy expansion and electrification. At the same time, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has raised urgent concerns about grid reliability as dispatchable power sources retire and demand accelerates — concerns that will intensify as advanced manufacturing investment drives significant new energy demand.

Within this environment, partners like Nuclear New York play an important role. As a nonpartisan nonprofit, Nuclear New York doesn’t build or operate infrastructure. Instead, it operates in the critical space of influence, advancing research, engaging stakeholders, and advocating for policies that position nuclear energy as an essential component of a reliable, affordable, and low-carbon energy system. I recently joined Nuclear New York to engage in this conversation — one centered on a simple but powerful idea: energy abundance, nuclear energy, and economic growth are deeply connected.

Together, MACNY and our partners offer a necessary perspective in the broader energy dialogue. This isn’t about choosing nuclear over renewables. It’s about recognizing that New York’s goals cannot be achieved without a diversified, balanced energy portfolio. Nuclear energy complements renewable resources by providing carbon-free, always-on power that stabilizes the grid and enables deeper electrification across the economy.

To move forward, our collective efforts must focus on three priorities: policy advocacy, public education, and coalition building. We must ensure nuclear energy remains part of New York’s long-term energy strategy, preserving existing capacity while advancing next-generation technologies such as small modular reactors. We must continue educating policymakers and the public on the safety, environmental benefits, and economic value of nuclear energy. And we must build coalitions that bring together labor, industry, and communities around a shared vision of a reliable, sustainable energy future.

These priorities align directly with MACNY’s advocacy and the needs of manufacturers across New York State. At the center of our work is a clear principle: advanced manufacturing growth depends on energy that’s reliable, affordable, and scalable. This isn’t theoretical. It’s a determining factor in whether New York can attract and sustain transformative investments, such as semiconductor fabrication, advanced materials production, and next-generation industrial innovation.

The message is straightforward. First, reliability is foundational. Advanced manufacturing facilities require uninterrupted, high-quality power. Even brief disruptions can result in substantial operational and financial consequences. Second, scale matters. Electrification, combined with major investments like Micron’s semiconductor campus, is rapidly increasing demand. Few energy sources beyond nuclear can provide the magnitude of clean, consistent power required. Third, cost drives competitiveness. Energy pricing influences site selection, long-term operations, and New York’s ability to compete globally.

MACNY’s approach reflects a pragmatic understanding that no single energy source can meet these needs alone. We advocate for an “all-of-the-above” strategy — one that integrates renewables, nuclear, natural gas, and emerging technologies to ensure both sustainability and reliability. Natural gas remains critical for many industrial processes and as a bridge to maintain system stability. Within this framework, nuclear energy serves as an anchor, providing stable, carbon-free baseload power that allows renewable resources to expand without compromising grid performance.

This alignment across partners creates a powerful opportunity. Together, we represent both the supply-side case for nuclear energy and the demand-side reality of industrial growth. This unified voice strengthens the case to policymakers that energy strategy must be grounded not only in environmental ambition, but also in economic practicality.

The stakes could not be higher. Energy policy is economic policy. The ability to attract and retain advanced manufacturing investment depends on confidence in the energy system. Companies making long-term, billion-dollar decisions will evaluate not only incentives and workforce, but whether New York can deliver reliable, affordable energy for decades to come.

As New York navigates both energy transition and economic growth, the path forward must be grounded in reliability, scale, and competitiveness. This balanced approach will not only advance decarbonization — it will secure the foundation for advanced manufacturing investment and sustained economic prosperity.