Pictured is the Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center nuclear power plant, foreground, and the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, background, on the shore of Lake Ontario in Scriba. AP photo

DUNKIRK — Within the coming week, it is expected the city of Dunkirk will be responding to a Request for Information by the New York Power Authority regarding its interest in hosting an advanced nuclear project.

State Gov. Kathy Hochul in June called on the Power Authority to develop at least 1 GW of nuclear capacity in upstate to address growing reliability, affordability and clean energy capacity concerns. Since the announcement, the area’s leadership has been galvanized in repurposing the former NRG coal-burning plant for this option.

“Following reports that Governor Hochul has directed the New York Power Authority to build a nuclear power plant in Upstate New York, I support this commonsense approach to provide reliable, affordable clean energy in the form of nuclear power; however, I am calling on her to make the NRG power plant site in Dunkirk … one of the selected locations,” state Sen. George Borrello of Sunset Bay said shortly after the announcement.

Both city of Dunkirk and Chautauqua County officials indicated this week they were nearing completion of their application, which is due Thursday. The filing must include at least one site with strong potential for a nuclear new build as it relates to size, water access and protection from external hazards. It also must demonstrate support from community members and key stakeholders.

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz also has indicated an interest in having the plant at the former NRG site. “The city of Dunkirk stands ready to be a part of that conversation, recognizing the potential economic revitalization and long term environmental benefits such a project could bring,” she said.

In July, she and the city held a public meeting on the topic of hosting a nuclear plant in the city. While concerns were noted, there also was sentiment for the project happening.

By issuing the RFI, NYPA has formalized a process to receive information from interested communities and learn more about potential sites that meet the requirements for hosting a nuclear power facility. The RFI will shape the Power Authority’s nuclear initiative, aligning it with stakeholder feedback and local economic and social objectives.

“At the Power Authority, we recognize that the success of this transformative advanced nuclear initiative hinges on our ability to collaborate with communities, governmental agencies at the state and federal level, and the private sector,” said Justin E. Driscoll, New York Power Authority president and CEO. “Through these Requests for Information, we aim to gather input from developers and communities across Upstate New York to shape our approach to site selection and partnerships that provide the greatest value for New York. Together, we can achieve an abundant power supply that supports New York’s economy, fosters job creation, and furthers the clean energy transition.”

Responses will help NYPA and potential development partners identify and prioritize communities that are both technically suitable and willing to host a nuclear facility.

Efforts for finding a location for a nuclear site are very early in the process. New York state is hoping to have a path to delivering 1 GW of advanced nuclear capacity as soon as possible. However, the Request for Information for interested developers notes the hope of construction beginning by 2033.

NRG remains in possession of the dormant facility at the moment. However, county officials have indicated they have been in communication with the company since it ceased operations at the location in 2016.

Constellation Energy owns Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 and the James A. FitzPatrick plants located in Oswego County along the Lake Ontario waterfront. Those sites have been in operation since 1970.