BUFFALO, NEW YORK — Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed an agreement to work together to advance the development of nuclear power.
According to a release, as part of the agreement, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will leverage Ontario’s global nuclear leadership to advance the development and deployment of nuclear technologies. This includes large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).
Ontario is home to the first grid-scale SMR under construction in the G7, the release adds, as well as three nuclear generating stations.
Because of this, Ontario will work closely with New York State to share its expertise in selecting nuclear sites and technologies, project development, management and operations and supply chain development for new nuclear builds.
More specifically, Ontario and New York State will work to:
Share expertise in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technology.
Educate the public about the economic and environmental benefits of advanced nuclear technology.
Explore opportunities to expand the trade of electricity between the two.
Collaborate on initiatives to strengthen the nuclear workforce and identify opportunities for joint OPG-NYPA projects that create jobs in both jurisdictions.
New York State has committed to developing at least 1,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation in upstate New York to meet rising electricity demand from industrial growth.
“This expansion of nuclear co-operation will bring additional opportunities for local economies, strengthen North American supply chains and drive energy innovation on both sides of the border with two-way trade between Ontario and New York State valued at $39 billion,” the release adds.