Tribal councils in Akwesasne oppose nuclear plant nearby

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Jan 22, 2026 —

In a joint press release, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne said “in the absence of support from our membership and community,” the tribal councils won’t support  development of a nuclear power plant near Akwesasne territory.

St. Lawrence County, next door to Akwesasne, and Jefferson County have both lobbied the state to host a nuclear power plant, citing jobs and economic development. They’re on a short-list of communities in the running for the projects.

The tribal councils said Akwesasne Mohawks have not been properly consulted for industrial projects in the past. “The failure to engage in this consultation has resulted in long-term environmental damage, health concerns, and a justified legacy of distrust,” the tribal councils wrote. 

Factories along the St. Lawrence River near the reservation, including Alcoa, General Motors, and Reynolds, dumped tons of toxic chemicals on the land and in the water, causing vast environmental and health damage. Those areas are now federal Superfund sites. “The protection of Akwesasne lands, waters, and people is non-negotiable,” the councils wrote.

The tribal councils have requested direct consultation with the New York Power Authority separate from the public comment process. Governor Kathy Hochul has charged NYPA with developing the nuclear plants as a crucial way to produce carbon-free electricity to combat climate change.