Indian Point’s Unit 2 reactor shuts off but NOT Unit 3

Indian Point’s Unit 2 reactor under construction in 1968.

Photo courtesy of Entergy

Indian Point’s Unit 2 reactor shuts off after nearly 46 years generating power

In recent weeks, climate scientists like James Hansen decried the reactor’s shutdown, saying it was a mistake to eliminate a source of clean energy from the state’s power grid. Hansen and others predict that natural gas will fill the energy gap left when Indian Point shuts down next year.

“Many people will die because of the stupidity of this action, in which a nuclear power plant is closed before all fossil fuel power plants have been closed,” Hansen told The Journal News/lohud.com two weeks ago.

Entergy cited reduced revenues linked to the cheap price of natural gas as a major factor in its decision to close the plant.

On Friday morning, natural gas and dual fuel — natural gas or other fossil fuels — were contributing about 31%of the state’s energy needs. Hydropower coming from upstate New York near Niagara  Falls was contributing 33%, while renewables like wind and solar power were a little over 4%.

The Cuomo administration wants the state to rely on renewables for 70% of its energy needs in 10 years.