WATERLOO, NY — Assemblymember Scott Gray (R-Watertown), ranking member of the New York State Assembly Energy Committee, participated in the Upstate Nuclear Summit in Waterloo, where state legislative leaders, local officials and economic development experts gathered to discuss the future of nuclear energy development across New York state.

Assemblymember Gray extended his gratitude to Tetra Tech and Harter Secrest & Emery LLP for organizing and hosting the conference, bringing vital discussions surrounding clean energy, grid reliability and regional economic strategy to the forefront.

Assemblymember Gray served as a featured speaker on the Community Impact Panel, titled "Economic Development, Workforce Opportunities, and Local Engagement." The session focused on the transformative role nuclear energy projects play in generating long-term economic growth, expanding local tax bases, creating high-paying jobs and bolstering regional infrastructure.

"Nuclear energy represents a powerful engine for Upstate New York's economy," said Assemblymember Scott Gray. "As we evaluate our state's energy future, host communities must be active partners in every step of the process. From workforce readiness to infrastructure development, keeping local leaders and community members informed and involved ensures that nuclear energy projects deliver real, lasting benefits for our residents."

The panel brought together distinguished civic and state leaders from communities with existing nuclear facilities, as well as regions considering potential nuclear development, including:

• Judy McKinney Cherry, executive director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development; Sen. George Borrello; Sen. Tom O’Mara; Assemblymember Scott Gray; Philip Church, Oswego County administrator

Panelists shared practical perspectives on community engagement, local stakeholder involvement, and strategies for building a skilled local workforce capable of supporting both existing nuclear assets and future advanced nuclear deployments.

Sen. George Borrello, whose 57th Senate District encompasses the City of Dunkirk, represents one of eight Upstate communities that have expressed interest in hosting new nuclear generation.

“New York is going to need significantly more reliable power in the years ahead, and nuclear energy has the potential to meet that need while creating tremendous economic opportunities for Upstate communities,” said Sen. George Borrello. “In Dunkirk, we have seen firsthand the interest that exists in exploring what advanced nuclear reactors could mean for a community with a long history of energy production. These projects can bring major private investment, high-paying skilled jobs and new opportunities for local businesses, but communities need to be informed and involved from the beginning. I appreciated the opportunity to join today’s discussion and share our perspective.”

Assemblymember Gray reiterated his commitment to advocating for balanced, reliable energy policies that prioritize job creation, grid stability and local economic resilience across the 116th Assembly District and Upstate New York.