A modern nuclear facility. (Photo courtesy)

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush and Assemblyman Scott Gray, who both represent parts of St. Lawrence County, issued the following statements on the selection of nearby Fort Drum in Jefferson County as the site of a nuclear microreactor under the Janus Program.

Blankenbush sounds off

“Fort Drum has long stood as a pillar of the North Country and a fortress of American military strength. The decision by the U.S. Department of War to select Fort Drum for advanced nuclear energy development is a powerful vote of confidence in that mission and in the communities of the 117th Assembly District that stand behind it," Blankenbush said.

“This is not merely an energy project. It is an investment in readiness, resilience and the enduring strength of our national defense. In an uncertain world, our military installations cannot afford to depend upon fragile systems or unreliable sources of power. Fort Drum must be prepared to operate, endure and prevail under any circumstance," said Blankenbush.

“This federal decision was made by the Department of War because Fort Drum is vital to the defense of this nation. It recognizes what North Country residents have always understood: this installation, and the men and women who serve there, are indispensable," he said.

“Reliable nuclear power can help secure Fort Drum’s future, strengthen American military preparedness and open the door to new investment and skilled jobs across our region. The North Country has always answered the call when America needed it. Once again, our region is being entrusted with an important role in protecting the nation’s future.”

Assemblyman Blankenbush represents the 117th Assembly District, encompassing all of Lewis County and parts of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oneida counties. For more information on Assemblyman Blankenbush, follow him on Facebook.

Gray comments

Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) welcomed the Army’s selection of Fort Drum and claims the decision marks a significant first step in New York State’s effort to expand its nuclear generation footprint and strengthen its power supply, setting the stage for the first nuclear reactor built in New York in nearly 40 years.

“This is a defining moment for Fort Drum, for the North Country and for New York state,” said Gray. “I have been engaged in this effort at the community and state level on Fort Drum’s behalf since 2023, because I believed then, as I do now, that reliable, secure power is essential to our national defense and to the future of this installation. Today’s announcement proves that steady, pragmatic work pays off.”

Through the program, the Army intends to construct an advanced nuclear reactor capable of generating up to 20 megawatts at full capacity, a press release from Gray said.

The program is being carried out as a public-private partnership. Working through the Defense Innovation Unit, the Army is partnering with Westinghouse, for the Fort Drum buildout,  under a milestone-based contracting model to design, build and operate the reactor, the press release said. 

Gray claims that the selection has importance far beyond the installation's fence line. “This solidifies Fort Drum’s importance to the North Country economy, to New York state and, most importantly, to our national defense structure. A resilient power projection platform is a stronger power projection platform, and that will keep this installation relevant for the decades ahead.”

Gray added that the announcement ranks among the most consequential in the installation’s modern history. “I would put this only second to the reactivation of the 10th Mountain Division and the selection of Fort Drum as its home more than 40 years ago. That decision shaped a generation in the North Country. This one will shape the next.”

“An achievement like this is never the work of one person or one office,” Gray said. “I want to thank the Pentagon’s Janus team at the Department of the Army, the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and the civilian personnel at Fort Drum who make this installation run every day. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, the New York Power Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for their partnership at the state level. I would also like to thank the Center for Community Studies at JCC, the local government leaders for supporting this project along with us, and members of this community who have stood behind Fort Drum at every turn. This is our win together.”

“There is real work ahead, and I intend to stay at the table for every step of it,” Gray said. “The North Country has always answered the call for our national defense. We are ready to do it again.”

Assemblyman Gray represents the 116th Assembly District, which includes most of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.