PSC Tells Con Ed to Plan for Life Without Indian Point

BUCHANAN, NY—The Public Service Commission is telling Con Ed to make preparations for a possible closure of the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan.

On Tuesday, the Commission began proceedings to develop a contingency plan in the  event of a closing of Indian Point,  the nuclear power plant located in Westchester County, approximately 30 miles north of Manhattan.   

The Commission directed Con Ed to work with the New York Power Authority to develop and file a contingency plan to address the needs that would arise in the event the Indian Point units shut down. 

 Entergy, the company that runs Indian Point, is currently in the middle of licensing renewal hearings that are scheduled to reconvene Dec. 10-14. The original 40-year operating licenses for Indian Point Units 2 and 3 are due to expire on Sept. 28, 2013 and Dec. 12, 2015.

Entergy and its employees continuously demonstrate the plants are safely operated, and is committed to safely operating this important facility for many more years to come," Jerry Nappi, an Entergy spokesman, told Reuters in an email.

Con Ed told Reuters in the same article that it will comply with the Commission’s wishes.

The directive was given as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Energy Highway Blueprint issued by the Energy Highway Task Force in October. The goal of the Highway Blueprint is to investigate ways to better deliver and meet the energy needs of downstate New York.

Cuomo has also stated in the past that he wishes to shut down the nuclear power facility. 

“A growing, vibrant economy requires an energy production and delivery system that provides the stable foundation companies need to invest  in their facilities and workforce, to expand operations and hire new workers,” said Commission Chairman Garry  Brown. “In addition to strengthening the economy, the Energy Highway will enhance New York State’s investment in clean energy production.” 

Indian Point's two operating nuclear powerplants generate roughly 2,000 megawatts of electricity for homes, business and public facilities in New York City and Westchester County.