A positive outlook for Indian Point shutdown

We want to share a new research brief Physicians, Scientists and Engineers for Healthy Energy released last week. Their research shows that ongoing deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, at a rate in line with New York’s 2025 clean energy targets, will contribute nearly three times the annual energy currently supplied by NY’s soon-to-be-retired Indian Point Nuclear Plant. That means that when Indian Point shuts down as planned, there will be enough electricity without bringing additional gas plants online. The research also shows that the new gas plants in the region built in the last few years are not actually needed.

The new research helps us refute the false narratives that the nuclear and gas industries have been using to try to split the environmental movement. Those industries are terrified that we will all join together to fight for a renewable energy system that can replace all dirty and dangerous energy sources.

Pro-nuclear and pro-gas advocates have been writing a series of opinion pieces claiming that New York would need more gas when Indian Point shuts down and arguing that we should either keep Indian Point open or allow more gas plants to be built. These false claims serve the gas industry in the push for new gas plants, and they serve the nuclear industry in its attempt to convince people that climate goals can't be met if nuclear plants close. "Nuclear or gas" is a FALSE CHOICE. The answer is energy efficiency and renewable energy.  

It’s important to set the record straight. That’s why we’re sharing this news widely. We hope you will too.

Last week we received more news: legislation is proposed in the NY Senate and NY Assembly to create an individual Decommissioning Oversight Board (DOB) for each NY nuclear plant at the time it announces its closure. [S8154/A10236]

This legislation is very important because DOBs would bring together representatives of relevant state agencies, members from impacted communities, labor representatives, and other stakeholders; have the ability to hire independent experts and access financial and other documents; and protect the interests of the surrounding community, NYS taxpayers, and the environment.

We urge you to call your NYS Assemblymember and your NYS Senator this week and ask them to support [S8154/A10236]. Tell them we need Decommissioning Oversight Boards in New York to protect the best interests of our state and our communities.

This is an issue of importance throughout New York state. If the companies responsible for decommissioning nuclear plants are left to make their own decisions, we will be left holding the bag. Let's be proactive to ensure decommissioning is done properly. 

We hope you will reach out to us if you have any questions about AGREE or our work. We hope you, your loved ones, and your communities are safe and have the resources you need in these difficult times.

Sincerely,

Andra Leimanis
Alliance for a Green Economy
[email protected]
315-480-1515