Message Heard: Political Fiction Should Not Determine NYS Energy Policy (video)

Last week I posted a blog about our message to Assemblymen Kevin Cahill and James Brennan to study Indian Point carefully.  I am happy to share that our strong disagreement was heard by Patrick Gallagher, reporter for the Westchester Business Journal.

Today, Mr. Gallagher published a story on his blog, Inside Track, which corrects the record.  He wrote that New York AREA Chairman Jerry Kremer was “justified in saying that several experts who testified at the hearing spoke to the importance of Indian Point as a major provider of electricity to the region and as a vital link in the state’s electric grid….”  He went on to point out what we said all along, “It seems that in their conclusion, Cahill and Brennan chose to ignore this particular testimony.”

The fact is that political fiction should not determine our energy policy.  Numerous studies and experts have concluded that closing Indian Point would lead to at least a 5-10 percent increase in electricity prices and an even higher increase in toxic emissions.  Studies  from the New York Independent System Operator and Charles Rivers Associates show that Indian Point provides at least 30 percent of New York City’s power and 12 percent of the power generated in New York State.*  Experts and business leaders affirm that closing Indian Point would deliver a severe body blow to the region’s economy in these already very difficult times.

We agree with Mr. Gallagher that safety is important and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Indian Point takes this obligation very seriously.  Entergy’s billion-dollar plant upgrades have played a vital role in its earning the NRC’s highest safety rating both before and after the event at Fukushima.  We also agree with Mr. Gallagher in that, “turning a blind ear to the economic facts – which Assemblymen Cahill and Brennan apparently did – is disturbing in its own right.”

* In case you are wondering, NYISO’s “load relief” phrase on page 18 means black outs. Yes, black outs. See the below video for more.

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