OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Word of the state's new clean energy standards quickly spread through the county that could benefit most.
Many in the Oswego area are cheering the move.
"Awesome for the community and awesome for the workers," Oswego resident Michael Reno said.
"I think it's wonderful," Oswego resident Mark Tesoriero said.
Tesoriero is one of thousands of people in Oswego who rely indirectly on the nuclear plants. He sells real estate to many of the plant's employees.
"A lot of the people that have the money are the people that work at the nuke plant, so it's been difficult to be in that business with that question hanging over," Tesoriero said.
His is just one example. The nuclear plants bring benefits far beyond the company's significant job totals. From restaurants to hotels and small businesses, the entire community is affected.
"It stabilizes the community by keeping the economic impact," Operation Oswego County executive director Al Michael Treadwell said. "These facilities are major economic engines for Upstate New York, Oswego County, Central New York."
This move doesn't fully guarantee that the power plants will remain open, but people said it's a positive step after so many months of uncertainty.
"There was a lot of concern with the community around here with losing so many jobs," Reno said.
The reaction isn't all positive. The advocacy group Alliance for a Green Economy is criticizing the state's decision. They say the power plants are dangerous and the subsidies are much more expensive than initially thought.