Constellation Moves to Extend Operations of Two New York Nuclear Reactors Through 2049
Constellation has taken another significant step toward strengthening New York’s long-term clean energy future by filing license renewal applications with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to continue operating two of its upstate nuclear reactors through 2049. The applications cover the Ginna Clean Energy Center and Nine Mile Point Unit 1, two facilities that play a vital role in supplying reliable, carbon-free electricity to the state.
The move underscores Constellation’s commitment to maintaining its nuclear generation fleet while supporting New York’s ambitious climate and clean energy objectives. If the NRC approves the applications, each reactor will receive a 20-year extension to its current operating license, allowing the facilities to continue generating electricity well into the middle of the century.
The company said the decision to pursue long-term operation of these facilities reflects confidence in New York State’s continued support for existing nuclear generation through the renewed Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) program. According to Constellation, the extension of the ZEC initiative provides the financial certainty needed to justify continued investments in maintaining and modernizing these critical energy assets.
Constellation President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Dominguez praised New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the state’s Public Service Commission for recognizing the importance of nuclear energy in achieving the state’s environmental and economic goals.
He noted that Constellation’s four upstate nuclear generating units collectively produce nearly half of New York’s clean electricity while supporting thousands of skilled jobs and generating substantial tax revenue for local governments. According to Dominguez, maintaining these facilities ensures that communities continue to benefit from dependable electricity, economic activity, and long-term employment opportunities.
The company emphasized that nuclear energy remains one of the few large-scale electricity sources capable of delivering continuous, emissions-free power around the clock. Unlike intermittent renewable resources such as wind and solar, nuclear plants provide stable baseload electricity regardless of weather conditions, making them a key component of New York’s transition toward a lower-carbon energy system.
Constellation believes the continuation of the ZEC program will produce significant economic and environmental benefits across the state over the coming decades. Company projections indicate that renewing the program could generate approximately $50 billion in savings for electricity customers by 2050 while contributing an estimated $38 billion to New York’s overall economy.
In addition to financial savings, the program is expected to secure roughly 14,000 local jobs across the state for decades and preserve nearly $10 billion in tax revenue that supports schools, municipalities, and public services in communities hosting nuclear facilities.
Labor organizations have also expressed strong support for extending the operational lives of New York’s nuclear power stations.
Greg Lancette, International Representative for the United Association of Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians, described the continued operation of the state’s nuclear fleet as essential for both energy reliability and economic stability.
According to Lancette, the facilities support thousands of well-paying union jobs that provide long-term career opportunities for skilled workers while strengthening local economies throughout upstate New York. He added that maintaining nuclear generation helps sustain businesses, families, and surrounding communities that rely on these facilities as major economic contributors.
Constellation currently operates the nation’s largest fleet of carbon-free nuclear power plants and continues investing billions of dollars in maintaining, upgrading, and safely operating its generating stations. The company says ongoing investments ensure its facilities continue meeting world-class standards for operational performance, safety, and reliability.
Beyond maintaining existing reactors, Constellation also sees its current nuclear sites as ideal locations for future nuclear development. Existing infrastructure, experienced operating personnel, established transmission connections, and supportive host communities make these facilities attractive candidates for next-generation nuclear technologies, including advanced reactors.
The company believes leveraging existing nuclear sites could accelerate future clean energy development while minimizing construction challenges associated with entirely new locations.
As part of the license renewal process, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will conduct a comprehensive technical review of both reactors. The federal agency will evaluate plant equipment, maintenance programs, aging management systems, operational practices, and overall safety performance before determining whether the licenses should be extended.
The NRC’s review process is designed to ensure that nuclear facilities can continue operating safely throughout the additional licensing period while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal regulations.
Constellation submitted its license renewal application for the Ginna Clean Energy Center on June 17, while the application for Nine Mile Point Unit 1 was filed earlier on March 25.
If approved, both reactors would receive operating licenses extending through 2049.
Meanwhile, Nine Mile Point Unit 2 already possesses an operating license that allows it to continue generating electricity until 2046, ensuring long-term stability for one of New York’s largest nuclear generating sites.
Constellation’s upstate New York nuclear fleet consists of three generating locations that collectively provide more than 3,300 megawatts of reliable electricity generation capacity.
The Ginna Clean Energy Center, located in Ontario near Rochester, operates a single nuclear reactor capable of producing approximately 576 megawatts of electricity. Despite being the smallest facility within the company’s New York portfolio, Ginna remains an important contributor to regional grid reliability and emissions-free electricity production.
The FitzPatrick Clean Energy Center, located in Oswego, operates one reactor with a generating capacity of approximately 842 megawatts. The facility has long served as an important source of dependable electricity for New York while supporting hundreds of direct and indirect jobs.
The largest facility within Constellation’s New York fleet is the Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center, also located in Oswego. The site operates two nuclear reactors with a combined generating capacity of approximately 1,907 megawatts, making it one of the state’s largest producers of carbon-free electricity.
Together, these facilities form a cornerstone of New York’s clean energy infrastructure, supplying reliable electricity to millions of homes and businesses while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As New York continues pursuing aggressive climate goals and expanding renewable energy resources, Constellation believes preserving existing nuclear generation will remain essential to maintaining grid reliability, supporting economic growth, and ensuring a dependable supply of emissions-free electricity. The company’s latest license renewal applications represent another major step toward securing the long-term future of nuclear energy as a key pillar of the state’s evolving clean energy strategy.
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