Kathy Hochul last year directed the New York Power Authority to begin developing at least one new advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York while charting a course toward what she calls a statewide “nuclear reliability backbone” totaling 8.4 gigawatts of nuclear generation. Why New York Is betting on nuclear againThe state’s renewed embrace of nuclear represents one of the most dramatic shifts in New York energy policy in a generation. This view is mirrored by Kristy Hartman, senior director of state policy and external affairs at the Washington, D.C.-based Nuclear Energy Institute, which promotes the use and growth of nuclear energy. When we spread those costs over the life cycle of a nuclear power plant, it’s actually pretty low.” Hochul’s reckless pursuit of new nuclear power or they’re not sure how it’s going to affect them yet,” he says.