Energy groups are touting President Trump’s moves to embrace nuclear energy, pointing to New York as a prime example, as an annual Climate Week kicks off in New York City.
Trump campaigned on a pledge to unleash American energy, and he has already signed multiple executive actions aimed at bolstering the nation’s nuclear power in particular. Energy groups have taken notice, and Trump’s efforts appear to have trickled into the state level, with places like New York embracing nuclear energy.
“President Trump has flipped the script on nuclear,” Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, said in a statement to The Hill.
“This is energy dominance in action, delivering more domestic fuel, more reliable 24/7 power, and downward pressure on electricity costs for families and industry,” Isaac added.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in June directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop at least one new nuclear plant to provide at least a gigawatt of power. In the announcement, Hochul touted the need to “embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence.”
Earlier this month, California-based company Oklo Inc. announced plans to build three modular nuclear reactors in Tennessee as part of a $1.7 billion facility that will convert nuclear waste into fuel.
The announcements follow actions taken by the Trump administration to increase the nation’s nuclear energy capacity.
In May, Trump signed executive orders aimed at quadrupling the nation’s nuclear power, including by cutting back on health and environmental considerations.
He also issued an order in May stating the government “must utilize its full authority to accelerate the secure and responsible development, demonstration, deployment, and export of United States designed advanced nuclear technologies to bolster readiness and enhance American technological superiority.”
“President Trump, along with those who he’s brought into his administration, has shifted the paradigm away from unfounded fear and alarmism on climate and energy, to new opportunities for American energy and its benefits for Americans,” Steve Milloy, senior policy fellow at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute, said in a statement to The Hill.
“Embracing safe, affordable nuclear energy is just one aspect of this change but it’s noteworthy because it demonstrates the declining influence of organizations whose objective has been to keep our leaders and the public in a perpetual state of fear; those days are over,” Milloy added.
Trump will be in New York City on Tuesday to attend events for the United Nations General Assembly. His presence will coincide with Climate Week NYC, an annual gathering of business, government and environmental leaders to discuss investments in clean technology and other ways to combat climate change.
Confirmed speakers for the climate event include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Kenyan President William Ruto and top energy officials from Denmark, Australia and other nations.
“This is a critical year for climate action. It’s inspiring to see businesses, governments, and the wider climate community stepping up to show the world that global climate action continues,” Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, said in a statement.
“Our theme this year is Power On, because we need to stay focused, ambitious, and keep delivering progress,” Clarkson said. “New York City has really lived up to that spirit this year and it’s shaping up to be the most impactful Climate Week NYC we’ve ever held.”
