BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- St. Lawrence County is one of eight potential host communities that has formally expressed interest in hosting a nuclear facility. 

According to New York Power Authority officials, eight communities or counties and 23 developers have expressed interest through the formal Request For Information (RFI) process set forth by NYPA this fall. 

Other possible host communities include Broome County, the city of Dunkirk, Jefferson County, Schuyler County, Oswego County, Wayne County and RED- Rochester LLC. 

Assemblyman Scott Gray, who hosted a number of informational forums throughout the summer and fall of 2025 to raise awareness of the potential projects, said the North Country "showed up in a big way, with St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties leading the way." 

"The extent of interest submitted through the NYPA RFI sends a clear message: this region is ready to compete, host, and build. There is a real opportunity to develop an energy-generation hub economy, anchored by reliable power, skilled workers, and a community that understands large-scale infrastructure," Gray said. 

He also touched on a nuclear project being floated by the Department of War, Project Janus, that could also potentially place a nuclear facility at Fort Drum. 

"With Fort Drum well positioned for Project Janus, the North Country also offers a unique national security and innovation advantage, opening the door to serious opportunities for collaboration across the region," Gray said. 

That project could free up resources to allow for one large scale or multiple smaller reactors to be placed throughout the North Country, though NYPA officials have yet to announce a course of action just yet. 

Gray said it is a "step-by-step process" that the North Country will undertake to position itself for consideration. 

"This is a step-by-step process, and the work is moving in the right direction. The RFI responses from St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties reflect momentum, and that momentum needs to be converted into investment, jobs, and long-term affordability for ratepayers," Gray said. 

St. Lawrence County in particular is viewed as a prime spot to place a facility, with Massena at the forefront. 

Village and town officials alike attended both the forum held at Alexandria Bay last year, as well as a second forum at Clarkson University during the fall. 

Following the Alexandria Bay event, both boards passed resolutions in support of bringing a facility to Massena. 

At November's Village Board meeting, Mayor Greg Paquin said the village, in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, intended to submit an RFI. 

"It’s a step in the process, but I think we’re ahead of most other communities in terms of preparation and ready to give information that’s needed,” Paquin said.

The project has received significant buy-in after Paquin and Deputy Mayor Chad Simpson attended Assemblyman Scott Gray's Nuclear 101 forum in Alexandria Bay this summer. 

A second forum was hosted at Clarkson University last month, which was attended by Village Trustees Ken McGowan and David Broadbent, as well as incoming-Town Supervisor Ray Lancto and Board Member Adrian Taraska. 

Both Broadbent and McGowan touched on the forum, saying the information instilled a great deal of confidence in them to move forward in supporting the RFI. 

“I think it dispelled a lot of myths of what nuclear was. There were some people I spoke with afterwards who were naysayers, and when they walked out, they’re like, ‘I support this 100%,’ and one individual comes here often. He goes, ‘I support this 100%.’ It’s not what it used to be,” McGowan said.

McGowan said even if the village were only able to secure a small portion of the one gigawatt project, which is being spearheaded by the New York Power Authority, it would be a win for Massena. 

"I think it would be awesome," McGowan said. 

Paquin called the prospect of the project a "godsend for economic development." 

During the forum, six nuclear experts gathered to dispel rumors and misnomers or false information surrounding nuclear energy. 

As for jobs, the construction phase could see up to 8,000 union jobs created, lasting in excess of five years. 

Once operational, a nuclear facility could bring in excess of 1,200 full-time jobs once up and running. 

Working on behalf of the village will be Administrator Monique Chatland, who told trustees the proposal is due Dec. 11. 

“It would be great for our community. I already had one meeting with the IDA and I’ll continue to help them in any way,” Chatland said. 

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