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Indian Point Can Close with Little Impact, State Committee Says

State officials released findings last week that Indian Point could close with little impact on ratepayers and reliability.

New York Assembly committees released preliminary findings of their Jan. 12 public hearing on the plans for the potential closure of (IPEC). The findings concluded that Indian Point could close without overburdening ratepayers or threatening reliability standards, according to a press release from the Committee on Energy and the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

This could happen with proper planning and the success of proposed energy and efficiency projects over the next several years, which would provide “more than enough resources to close Indian Point,” the committee chairs said. They based findings on testimony and evidence demonstrated by several energy and environment organizations, Con Edison and by the Department of Public Service and City of New York, among others, at the Jan. 12 hearing.

 “We have the framework and the resources for a future without Indian Point.  It all comes down to the State developing a plan and putting it in motion,” said Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Energy.   

Indian Point officials and proponents disagree. IPEC Spokesman Jerry Nappi said that most speakers at the January hearing said “there would be challenges to replace Indian Point, but it is about what the consequences are.

"The result would be dirtier air, a higher cost of electricity and potential instability of the electrical grid.”

Nappi said that reports by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Con Edison and New York State Independent System Operator (NYSISO) have proved that closing Indian Point would result in the negative consequences he noted. Nappi's colleague, IPEC spokesman Jim Steets addresses these points in his Huffington Post  blog  on Feb. 3.

The Assembly committees also cited information from Con Edison and NYS ISO, among several others. The Assembly committees included in their “key findings” that NYSISO testified that the state has more than an adequate level of generation capacity and upgrades to the existing transmission system could help facilitate windpower projects and renewables; that there are generation and transmission projects proposed that could add up to 2,000 megawatts of new power by 2015 and could bring up to 3,000 megawatts online by 2016; and that relieving congestion bottlenecks could free up more megawatts. Con Edison testified that there are options that can be considered for replacing IPEC’s electric compacting, and energy and voltage support. (Read the full list of “key findings” at the end of this article).

The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, an advocate for the relicensing of Indian Point, sent a press release including statements made by their chairman Jerry Kremer, who drew much different conclusions from the Jan. 12 hearing than did the committee chairs.

“I testified at the January 12 hearing and heard clear and compelling evidence throughout that day from the New York Independent System Operator, Con Edison, and Charles River Associates (an independent energy consulting firm) that the loss of Indian Point would have serious ramifications on the City’s electric costs and reliability,” Kremer states in the AREA release. Kremer is also a former Chairman of the New York Assembly Ways and Means Committee and author of the state’s power plant siting law, on his testimony to the Assembly committees at the public hearing. 

Kremer referred to the two chairs of the Energy and Corporations committees, Cahill and James Brennan, as known opponents of IPEC and said its closure would increase pollution, reliability and cost city residents billions.

“Furthermore, at a time when New York needs to woo billions of dollars in new investment, cannibalizing our energy infrastructure will have a chilling effect to those who make investment decisions,” Kremer said.

In their findings, the Assembly committees' chairs noted that Entergy, the owner of Indian Point, was asked in advance of the hearing to come prepared with records detailing the price and quantity of the power generated by the reactors, sales of that electricity both through the Independent System Operator (ISO) and other contracts and the costs associated with operating the facilities.  Entergy did not provide this information.

“Entergy’s lack of cooperation will require us to revisit the issue in the very near future,” Cahill said.

IPEC Spokesman Nappi said that the information requested was not provided because it is proprietary. "Electric generation is no longer regulated in NYS as a result of changes in the law made to encourage competition among generators and reduce costs for consumers.  As a result, in a competitive business it is important that providers of wholesale power, like Entergy, be protected from one another on financial matters that could potentially provide a competitive edge for some of the participants."

Indian Point Units 2 and 3 are up for re-licensing in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the plant's equipment can operate safely for next 20 years, Nappi said. The relicensing process will reach a point where contentions are heard by a separate branch of the NRC in the form of public hearings, to be held sometime this spring.

Assembly Committee's Preliminary Key Findings, as stated in their Jan. 31 Press Release:

  • The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) testified that the State has more than an adequate level of generation capacity and upgrades to the existing transmission system would make better use of statewide generating resources, including renewables from windpower projects.
  • The NYISO also noted that there are a number of generation projects proposed in Southeast New York that could add up to 2,000 megawatts of new power by 2015 and several transmission projects that could bring up to 3,000 megawatts online by 2016.
  • According to the NYISO, relieving the historic congestion bottlenecks that impact the economic operation of New York’s electric system could free up over 1,500 megawatts from existing power plants.  The testimony specifically referenced constraints in the Central to East and Leeds to Pleasant Valley corridors.  
  • The New York City Master Electricity Plan, prepared by Charles River Associates, identified the Leeds to Pleasant Valley constraint as one of the most cost effective projects to meet the City’s electricity needs.
  • Consolidated Edison testified that there are a number of options that can be considered for replacing Indian Point’s electric capacity, energy and voltage support, including demand side management and energy conservation programs, new electric generating facilities or new electric transmission lines to import power from regions where there is a surplus.
  • The City of New York identified aggressive strategies to conserve electricity and develop clean distributed generation, including:
    • efforts to increase participation in demand side management programs;
    • streamline permitting for cogeneration projects;
    • utilization of high efficiency combined heat and power technology;
    • co-locating anaerobic digestors and photovoltaics at wastewater treatment facilities; and
    • participation in a 350 megawatt off-shore wind collaborative.
  • The Department of Public Service testified that in prior instances where generator retirements presented reliability risks, transmission solutions were the most cost effective options.

Read the Assembly Committees' full press release here.

Read The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance's full press release here.

To read more about Indian Point on Patch click here.

Billy L February 7, 2012 at 01:29 pm
The plant is there and the plant is running, and generating emission free electricity. Any changes/upgrades/wind/solar WHATEVER is going to result in money being spent by the utilities which is going to translate into higher rates for me, the consumer. I don't know about anyone else here but I don't want higher electric rates and I'm willing to live with Indian Point to achieve that end. If you're so worried about a potential disaster then move. It's one of the oldest and longest operating nuke plants in the country and there has never been a meltdown. Just because there hasn't been doesn't mean it's impossible but again I am willing to live with the risk if there even is any, if it means keeping the electricity rates down.
Terrygolf February 7, 2012 at 01:46 pm
No mater what anyone says shutting down Indian Point will cause major increases in uiltity rates. This so call commettee is nothing more than a Coumo mouth piece, saying exactly what he wants them to say.
JM February 7, 2012 at 01:51 pm
I felt as though this was a forgone conclusion when the powers that be, not electricity, decided Indian Point must go.
Ok, so moving on: Liz and or any other journalist listening.... How much will the state fund to take Indian Point down? Or, is the plan to leave the structures as is for the next 100 years as "building art" on the shores of the Hudson River? Secondly, how much does the state plan to fund the good, professional employees of Indian Point for retraining in new professions and support them until they are retrained and have a new job? No, this isn't a question of socialism - it is business and if the state wants Indian Point closed, it must budget for the transition of hundreds of lives it has effectively made jobless. For Peekskill (and other towns) what are their plans to recover lost tax revenue from Entergy? Is Peekskill Celebration now history? Same too for the Pumpkin Blaze and any number of other very generous festivals that are only made possible by Indian Point's parent org.?
Teleman February 7, 2012 at 02:12 pm
So we have an over-abundance of energy supply? I find this VERY hard to believe- I bet that due to the current state of the economy, energy usage is way down- but what happens when the economy ( when Bama gets thrown out ) begins to truly recover ? We're gonna need energy to grow- this is typical short-sighted nonsense.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 02:28 pm
Cuomo is just shopping for votes. Remember. He's a politician that wants to be President. If Cuomo does not get this state moving soon Indian Point is going to be the least of his problems.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 02:29 pm
Never.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 02:29 pm
Indian Point is safe.
It is a vital piece of our energy infrastructure. It must be maintained properly and watched carefully. Newer technologies and materials exist to build a better plant, and one day an energy company should do that. Giving up on nuclear power would be like the caveman giving up on fire. Only Al Gore would do that. I could just see him . . . "Don't burn that wood, you may cause the globe to warm! Wait . . . wiat . . . don't do it!" BS SAVE THE HUMANS!
Mike Hirsch February 7, 2012 at 02:30 pm
Let's learn from the recent disaster in Japan. Furthermore, imagine what would have happened on 9/11 had one of the planes hit Indian Point. Having a nuclear facility close to New York City is sheer madness. I believe that Governor Cuomo shares that opinion. Hopefully he'll be able to close it down.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 02:33 pm
Nor is there anyway to survive a nuclear war. Yet, we live in peace because of thermo-nuclear weapons. This plant can be inspected without notice. It far safer then operating a motor vehicle.
Bob Ogden February 7, 2012 at 02:38 pm
I don't think we should give up on nuclear energy, however we're talking about one specific plant here. First when it was built it was expected to operate for a maximum of forty years and it has accomplished that mission. But, more importantly if we look at Japan as an emergency response and mitigation exercise we see that they needed to evacuate a fifty mile radius. That presents a couple of problems as 50 miles from Indian Point takes in all Manhattan north of 34th Street. Then 50 miles in the other directions threaten the water supply for all of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange and New York City. I agree we need nuclear but I think this one is just in the wrong place.
Mike Hirsch February 7, 2012 at 02:41 pm
Exactly.
RyeBob February 7, 2012 at 02:45 pm
Submitted to Rep Cahill via e-mail on his State website:
I am flabbergasted by the portrayal of your committee's review of Indian point as objective. Further, your conclusions that the plant can be closed without material disruption to pricing, environmental impact, etc. are untenable and unbelievable. Clearly, you have an agenda that is focused on closing Indian point as opposed to really understanding the economic and ecological impact of such action. Shame on you for your political pandering.
Bill Duggan February 7, 2012 at 02:56 pm
What I note is that the story just quotes the Assembly press release for the "key findings", none of which seem to favor the continuing operation of Indian Point. They find absolutley no good reasons for keeping the plants on line? Economic cost of power vs the price of new generation? Uncertainty in the ability to install new transmission or build new plants? Environmental impacts of the alternatives? How do these folks feel about natural gas pipelines under the Hudson? Not to mention natural gas recovery in general? Seems like the Assembly report is a bit on the niased side and the story not to inquisitive about what really seems to be campaign rhetoric from politicians.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 03:02 pm
The plant is designed to take a hit from and F4 Phantom. It would have done better then The Twin Towers. If you want to make it safer, get your federal government to open Yucca mountain and stop storing spent fuel rods on site.
Joe Doakes February 7, 2012 at 03:09 pm
It needs to be replaced at some point, but that can't happen unless we have a place to store the waste for generations. Realistically though we can't even replace the Tappen Zee bridge! What are the odds are we going to replace this power plant?
Teleman February 7, 2012 at 04:28 pm
The bottom line- we are going to need to meet increasing energy demands- the environmental loons have no real near term solutions that work- they are against oil pipelines, coal, gas drilling and transmission lines, and of course nuclear. Wind?Solar? Until some major technological advances take place- coal, gas and nuclear work best.
Deb Milone February 7, 2012 at 05:13 pm
The conclusion reached by these two anti-IP Assemblyman is false. IP’s closure would have devastating impact on local businesses, something they did not consider.
With 1,100 employees and an annual payroll of $140 million, not to mention hundreds of contractors, their impact on local purchases – at gas stations, diners and delis, hardware stores, and entertainment is almost incalculable. Additionally, Indian Point accounts for a large portion of the local school tax levy and municipal taxes. It is safe to say that without that tax revenue, local homeowners would have much less disposable income to spend at local businesses. Indian Point’s workers live and have family in the local community and believe it is a safe plant. The federal government’s independent inspectors – who have offices at the plant and inspect the plant every day, determine it is a safe plant. I believe it is safe and understand its immense economic importance to our area. Without IP, there will be an enormous amount of economic suffering and hardship in this region, not to mention dirtier air and higher electricity costs.
Alex Leslie February 7, 2012 at 05:16 pm
Why not build a few thousand 2.5kw windmills on the mountain tops in southern NY state? Wouldn't that be a beautiful and eco-friendlyway to replace a nuclear plant?
Stan February 7, 2012 at 05:21 pm
More expensive electricity is the probable outcome of shutting IP which is almost certainly the outcome some of these politicians want. Less supply and the same (or increased) demand = higher prices. There is an argument to be made that IP might be too close to NYC and the surrounding suburbs but why don't they build additional power generation capacity before shutting this one down? The more I read about the environmentalists the more I am starting to think that they'll only be happy when we're all living in caves again, using no electricity.
Francis T McVetty February 7, 2012 at 07:22 pm
Stan, you last sentence certainly rings true!
happypatcher February 7, 2012 at 07:29 pm
Spoken like a true Chamber of Commerce director. All true Deb, YOU believe it is safe, safe till there is a screw up then everything could become uninhabitable and all those jobs and all those families will have a very big problem, they will not be able to return home or keep their jobs, they will also have the added benefit of watching their children get sick, die or get cancer. Short sited logic Deb - its not all about money!
Safe, Secure and Vital - for now?, for always???
Bob Ogden February 7, 2012 at 07:30 pm
Stan,
Speaking as an environmentalist I can emphatically state that we don't want to live in caves. I do think we need to tread a little more lightly on this planet of ours simply because it's the only one we have. I too think it's too densely populated to safely keep IP where it is so we've already reached some common ground. If both sides of this issue could work together I think we can come up with a plan but we're both going to have to compromise.
Ross Revira February 7, 2012 at 07:59 pm
If you believe anything that comes out of Sheldon Silvers's Assembly then you would believe that there is sufficient electric generating capacity to replace Indian Point without a cost increase. If there is so much excess capacity, why is Con Edison's rates still one of the highest in the nation after deregulation?
HenHud Supporter February 7, 2012 at 08:16 pm
I live less than five miles from IP. We keep KI tablets in the house and in the car. I have less than zero concern that ANY accident or mishap at IP would ever result in any threat to me and my family that those KI tablets would not address. People who look at Japan and project the Japan scenario onto IP do so with no basis in statistical reality. The comprehensive economic cost of closing IP/managing the defunct site to the surrounding community and to the New York Metro area far exceeds the extremely marginal benefit from mitigation of minuscule risk accomplished by closing the plant.
Bob Ogden February 7, 2012 at 08:29 pm
Is it always about the money?
There is an Native American Proverb that goes, "When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money" The risk to Fukashima was minuscule but yet it happened.
Mike Hirsch February 7, 2012 at 08:40 pm
A fully loaded 747 has more than 10 times the impact of an F4 fighter. Having this nuke at Indian Point is not that much different than having it in Times Square. They should build a new nuclear plant upstate and transmit the power down here.
Watchdog February 7, 2012 at 09:04 pm
Talk is cheap. Perhaps we should have out the $800 billion LOST in Solyndra into a nuclear facility but we have not built one in many decades.
Ductio February 7, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Watchdog, Marindog, Boatcat - another place to spew your lies.
800 BILLION on Solyndra? I bet you think HERB runs this place, too........
Francis T McVetty February 8, 2012 at 02:08 pm
Peekskill Pete, "The risk to Fukashima was minuscule but yet it happened.". They were warned about building a sea wall in the event of a tsunami. They didn't and that is what cased the meltdown. The earth quake did not DIRECTLY cause the cooling pumps to fail, it was the tsunami. Now if you think that there could possibly be a tsunami in the Hudson river, then you probably still believe in the tooth fairy or the present administration coming up with a budget for this year.
Bob Ogden February 8, 2012 at 02:31 pm
Francis, this will be my last post on this thread because I dislike banging my head against the wall. No, I do not believe that there will be a tsunami at that point on the Hudson and now by golly you've convinced me. We should put millions of people at risk so that Francis can save $25.00 a month on his electric bill. As to your habit of tying everything to the President, all I can say is get ready for another four years because Newt and company aint gonna make it.

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the news system has been a horror since day one.. nothing was wrong with the old system..new systemRead More Not User friendly at all.. in fact it discourages users.. the format is confusing..can never find the articles once posted again... bring it back.. who ever made this decision should be fired.. lets see if this gets posted..
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@Ashley, I posted a comment on my own announcement and it disappeared twice..
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Ashley, do you live here in Peekskill? I second what Jo said, the ''new'' patch design is really aRead More horror, although I realize that is not your responsibility. While I think the former editor, Rasheed, probably let some things stand that might be considered rude/mean, how many comments are actually being deleted, versus hitting a tech glitch? I post on yahoo, about half my comments don't make it. Seems the longer I have the comment window open the less chance it gets posted. so that is a tech bug not censorship.
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they put them out bottom window to do their"business" right under several of our decks.Read More they are very rude and unhygenic.
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don't know why I'm having a problem getting this written............anyway...they are rude,Read More unhygenic and WILL NOT follow any of the condo rules....there's so much more but we are sick of it. There are only two of us that speak up...everyone else is cowering behind closed doors.
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Unleashed dogs is getting to be a big problem in Peekskill. I see them routinely now. People areRead More letting their pit bulls out, their poodles, their chihuahuas - all kinds of dogs. Two days a go I watched a lady jogging on the track with her loose dog. The dog wasn't even supposed to be on the track no less loose. Some kid or elderly lady is going to get bit. Loose dogs also end up in more fights with other dogs.
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It was our pleasure to help out....good food, good weather, all around good time!!
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It seems Patch moves editors every year. Liz was here when I signed up. Then she was shortly movedRead More to Rye and Rasheed took over. He must have been here about a year and then he left when the new format was introduced. Both times patch started cooking and then it got cut down just as new staff got their mojo going. A new editor with a new format seems like starting from scratch again. I know AOL/Patch needs to get some cash flow going quick (from what I've read) but I can't see what they are trying to do exactly by tipping the cart over and over
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Agree Joshua just when you have a good thing going with an Editor they move. I can't figure thisRead More site out I was not allowed to post for at least a week thought Mary et al put an hex on me. Hey anyone know where Peter Goodson is??? I miss his posts.
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http://search.lohud.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=revitalization of Peekskill
Working Families Party endorsed candidate Mary Foster
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Working Families Party almost always cross endorses with Democrats. Looks like the choice isRead More getting clearer: One team is Democrat, WFP and Independent and the Catalina Team is Republican, Right-to-life, Conservative. Anyway, I believe Catalina is campaigning as anti-gay rights, so I know how I will be voting.
jo June 14, 2013 at 02:28 pm
and so many in the cast of characters that attend the meetings. believe Mary is a republican atRead More heart.. and here the Left of all left dem groups endorses here..mmmmmmmm just thinking out loud..
stephanie June 14, 2013 at 03:57 pm
mary foster and the rest of her butt kissers not need to run after what they have done to this cityRead More already we don't need them to run another term they neeed to get out and stay out. i believe frank catalina will much better than foster will ever be he cares about the city and does not like what foster has done to this city i wish him very much luck and i truly believe he will win as our mayor for peekskill good luck and kick foster and her butt kissers out of city hall and keep them out
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Master Nicholas Canaan and his Lodge Officers for the 2013-14 Masonic Year
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Great,..... Masons... send'em over to city hall to re-point the building. Lot's of loose bricks overRead More there.