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JCC Hosts Community Forum on Advanced Nuclear Energy
as North Country Survey Identifies Strong Need for Public Information
Published: November 19, 2025
at 09:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from Jefferson Community College
Jefferson
Hosts Community Forum on Advanced Nuclear Energy as Annual
North Country Survey Identifies Strong Need for Public Information
 WATERTOWN, NY – Jefferson
Community College (JCC), in collaboration with Assemblyman Scott Gray (116th District),
hosted a community forum on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to address public
interest and questions surrounding advanced nuclear energy. The event was
held in Sturtz Theater and brought together residents, students, industry
experts, and local officials for an open discussion about how emerging
nuclear technologies may shape the North Country’s energy and economic
future.
The forum took
place at a timely moment, coinciding with the Center for Community Studies’
(CCS) release of
survey results specifically related to advanced nuclear
energy. The CCS completed a major public-opinion survey this fall across
Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Oswego counties, which revealed a clear
community need: most residents feel they require more information before
forming an opinion about advanced nuclear energy. According to the survey,
more than 60 percent of regional respondents said they “need to learn
more,” indicating a strong desire for education and dialogue. To expand
understanding beyond the region, the CCS also conducted a statewide survey
in early November, giving New York leaders a broader picture of how
residents across the state view advanced nuclear technology.
During the forum,
CCS staff presented highlights of the local and statewide results, setting
the stage for the evening’s conversation. Panelists with expertise in
nuclear engineering, energy policy, and economic development explained how
advanced nuclear reactors differ from traditional systems, addressed
community questions regarding safety, waste management, and electricity
affordability, and discussed how new energy technologies could impact jobs
and long-term economic opportunities in the North Country. Audience members
participated in a question-and-answer session that underscored both the
community’s curiosity and the importance of continued education on the
topic.
"Jefferson
Community College is proud to serve as a forum for thoughtful, fact-based
discussion on topics that matter to our community,” says Daniel J. Dupee,
II, President. “By sharing these survey results and hosting this
conversation on advanced nuclear energy, we’re helping residents access the
information they need to engage in meaningful dialogue and make informed
decisions about the future of energy in our region."
“By hosting this
forum, Jefferson Community College continues its mission of serving as a
center for community learning and civic engagement, ensuring North Country residents
have access to current information as New York considers future energy
options,” says Joel LaLone, Director, Center for Community Studies at JCC.
The advanced
nuclear survey is part of the CCS’s long-standing commitment to providing
reliable data to help inform public dialogue and results are currently
available on the college’s website, www.sunyjefferson.edu. The full
four-county regional survey results will be released to the public in
December 2025, offering additional detail on public perceptions, concerns,
and priorities related to nuclear energy and other community topics.
Photo Caption:
Joel LaLone,
Director of the Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community
College, highlighted nuclear-related findings from the fall community
survey during JCC’s public forum, held in collaboration with Assemblyman
Scott Gray (116th District) on November 12, 2025. The survey, conducted
across Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Oswego counties, revealed that
most residents indicate the need for more information before forming an
opinion on advanced nuclear energy. The advanced nuclear survey is part of
the CCS’s long-standing commitment to providing reliable data to help
inform public dialogue and results are currently available on the college’s
website, www.sunyjefferson.edu. The full four-county
regional survey results will be released to the public in December 2025.
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About Jefferson
Community College
Established on
November 7, 1961, Jefferson Community College was the area’s first
institution of higher education. Supervised by the State University of New
York (SUNY), Jefferson offers more than 50 associate degrees, certificates,
and microcredentials for career preparation and
transfer. The college also provides local access to bachelor’s and advanced
degrees through partner institutions; lifelong learning through workshops
and seminars; business and industry training; community-based research;
forums for the productive discussion of ideas and regional issues through
the Center for Community Studies; and cultural enrichment opportunities
that serve the entire tri-county region—Fort Drum’s military installation
among them. Jefferson, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education, currently serves approximately 2,400 students, many of whom are
service members and their families. Visit www.sunyjefferson.edu for
more information.
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