Legislators back study and informal support for exploring micro nuclear energy; planning memo requested

Mayville, N.Y. — A proposal to signal county support for exploring ‘‘micro nuclear’’ energy drew bipartisan caution and public comment at the Chautauqua County Legislature’s April 23 meeting.

Legislator Jamie Gustafson said the county should endorse continued study of innovative energy solutions and asked the legislative clerk to prepare a letter of support to the county executive and governor that legislators could sign. Gustafson said the idea is ‘‘to show our support for continued exploration of innovative energy solutions here in Chautauqua County.’’

Legislator Tim Larson responded that the Legislature’s economic development committee asked county planning staff to provide a memo or report summarizing available literature on small modular reactors and small nuclear technologies and suggested that legislators should review that material before signing any letter. Larson asked the planning department to prepare the memo by the June Legislature meeting at the latest.

Multiple members of the public addressed the Legislature on the topic. Carol Winnome of West Ellicott spoke in favor of micro nuclear energy, saying the technology offers ‘‘reliable, efficient, and low carbon energy’’ and arguing that wind and solar present land-use and intermittency challenges in the county. Karen Engstrom and others also supported exploration of nuclear options, citing high energy density and long plant lifetimes; one resident urged careful consideration of spent-fuel and decommissioning issues.

The Legislature did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting. Instead the body directed staff to prepare background information: the planning department will compile an overview of the technologies, major players, likely land-area needs and permitting considerations for small modular reactors. Legislator Larson said he would not sign any formal support letter until he reviewed the planning memo; other legislators said they supported investigating the idea but likewise sought more information.

What the planning memo should include, as requested during the meeting: a plain-English synopsis of small modular nuclear technology, who manufactures or proposes installations, required land and infrastructure footprints, regulatory and permitting pathways (state and federal), likely timelines, decommissioning and waste-management issues, and potential economic impacts.

The public comment period revealed both support and caution: proponents described potential local jobs and reliable baseload power; one speaker with naval experience urged that waste and decommissioning be addressed in any evaluation. The Legislature’s next steps are staff research and follow-up discussion; any formal letter or legislative endorsement would be considered after members review that background material.