A New York state senate committee next week will hold a hearing about a contingency plan if the Indian Point nuclear power plant were to be shut down. The committee’s chairman has concerns about the proposed plan, but does not want to see the plant closed. An environmental group does.
In November 2012, the New York State Public Service Commission directed Con Edison to work with the New York Power Authority to develop a contingency plan to address power replacement needs should both Indian Point reactors be closed by the summer of 2016. The request came as part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Energy Highway Blueprint. Republican George Maziarz, who chairs the senate standing committee on Energy and Telecommunications, is holding a public hearing Monday in New York City on the contingency plan. He says he has concerns.
The operating license for Indian Point 2 expires Saturday; for Indian Point 3, in December 2015. Indian Point 2 will continue to operate until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission renders a decision, which will not be for at least another year given the ongoing case review. Maziarz, whose 62nd senate district includes portions of counties northeast of Buffalo, says he hopes the hearing will bring forth other ideas.
Riverkeeper has been fighting to have Westchester County-based Indian Point closed for some time. Phillip Musegaas is Riverkeeper’s Hudson River program director. He talks about the proposed contingency plan.
He says he will testify at the senate hearing, and highlight the following.
Entergy Nuclear Spokesman Jerry Nappi says Buchanan-based Indian Point already delivers power affordably and on time.
Con Edison was the previous owner of Indian Point Two, and the New York State Power Authority of Indian Point Three.
