SCRIBA, N.Y. – Dr. Dale Klein got his first glimpse of the nuclear power plants in Oswego County, stopping off at Nine Mile Point in the morning and visiting the Fitzpatrick plant in the afternoon.

As chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it is his job to oversee the safety of plants all across the country and he gave both plants a passing grade.

"Physicals conditions of the plant look good. The people and their attitude has been very good," said Klein.

Nine Mile Point and Fitzpatrick are just two of 104 nuclear plants across the country the NRC is charged with regulating and safety is their main concern.

"It is so important to maintain public image, public confidence and to run these in a safe and secure manner because that is what we need to do to supply electricity," Klein said.

Unistar has expressed interest in adding a third plant to the area. Klein says most of the applications they receive for new plants come from areas where there already is one in place. He says this makes Oswego County a perfect location.

"You have a lot of infrastructure, training facilities, a good force, a good culture. So I think this is a logical place for an additional unit," Klein said.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission hasn't received an application from Unistar yet, but expects one within the year.

As a whole, the industry could see more than 30 new plants over the next several years.