New York weighs future of Indian Point, upstate nuclear power plants
Workers from two struggling upstate nuclear power plants packed a
state hearing on the future of nuclear power in New York Tuesday,
sporting t-shirts urging state officials to save their jobs.
“When Upstate Nuclear Runs, NY Wins,” the shirts read.
“When Upstate Nuclear Runs, NY Wins,” the shirts read.
They were countered by anti-nuclear activists who pushed for
the shutdown of Indian Point and upstate power plants so the state can
begin its transition to renewable energy source like wind and solar
power.
“Work with us to plan this just transition,” anti-nuclear
activist Manna Jo Greene, the environmental director for the
Beacon-based Clearwater, urged workers who crowded an Albany-area
hearing held by the state Public Service Commission. “The handwriting is
on the wall.”
The hearing was one of 22 being held across the state this
month as the Public Service Commission weighs Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s
proposal to establish clean energy standards so the state can continue
reducing its carbon emissions.
Cuomo wants the state to rely on renewable energy sources
for 50 percent of its electricity by 2030. While he’s advocated Indian
Point’s shutdown, he’s pushing for the commission to offer financial
incentives that would aid three upstate nuclear power plants – two in
Oswego and a third near Rochester.
The owners of the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant
in Scriba say they will shut the plant’s doors in January 2017 and lay
off half of the plant’s 600 workers.
Cuomo’s proposal envisions keeping the upstate nuclear
plants open to act as a “bridge” until the state is able to rely
on renewable energy sources for its electricity.
Several anti-nuclear speakers cast Cuomo’s effort to save
the upstate plants as a “bailout” that shouldn’t be borne by ratepayers.
“Right now the nuclear industry, even though it’s over 50
years old still is unable to support itself,” said Susan Shapiro, a
Rockland County attorney who works with the Indian Point Safe Energy
Coalition. “It’s received more bailouts from the federal government than
any other industry and it continues to receive bailouts from
taxpayers.”
Gary Toth of
Upstate Energy Jobs speaking in support of upstate nuclear power plants
at Public Service Commission hearings on the future of nuclear power in
New York. Video by Thomas C. Zambito/The Journal News
The Cuomo Administration says the financial incentives for
the upstate plants as well as new renewable energy sources would have a
less-than-one percent impact on electricity bills – about $1 per month
for a residential customer – in the coming years. Among the incentives
would be zero carbon emission credits for the nuclear power plants.
Among those testifying at Tuesday hearing at Colonie Town
Hall was Gary Toth, a member of a central New York coalition called
“Upstate Energy Jobs,” which is working to keep the upstate nuclear
plants open. Toth said the upstate nuclear power plants provide some
24,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in payroll.
Cesar Penafiel
of the group Environmental Progress speaks in support of Indian Point at
Public service Commission hearing on Tuesday. Thomas C. Zambito/The
Journal News
The Public Service Commission is scheduled to hold a vote on Cuomo’s proposals next month.
