Watertown councilman proposes exploring nuclear facility at old landfill

Watertown City Councilman Shane Garrabrant has proposed that the city consider a nuclear facility at its capped, vacant landfill on Water Street as an alternative or parallel option to a proposed solar farm.

Garrabrant raised the idea during a Monday night City Council meeting. The landfill has been vacant for years, and a renewable energy company has said that about 40 of its 78 acres could support a solar project.

The city is already evaluating the solar proposal. City Manager Eric Wagenaar presented findings from Willdan Performance Engineering, which said a solar installation could begin with a 40-acre phase and potentially expand across the site. Council members have asked for additional financial details before deciding whether to pursue the project.

The city's evaluation follows earlier discussions about the property. In 2019, Abundant Solar Energy offered $2.1 million to lease the landfill for 30 years for a solar farm, but the city did not pursue that offer. Estimates for a full-size solar project now range from an annual loss of $151,000 to annual earnings of $450,000, depending on the city's approach to risk.

Councilman Ben Shoen has described the vacant landfill as a liability and said it could potentially generate revenue or qualify for state tax credits. Garrabrant has expressed skepticism about battery storage, citing a 2023 solar-farm fire in the Town of Lyme.

The city's old landfill is separate from the regional landfill operated by the Development Authority of the North Country, which serves Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

The Watertown City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in the Council Chambers at 245 Washington St. Updates on council meetings and agendas are available through the City of Watertown.