After decades of activists fighting to shut down a nuclear power plant just 25 miles north of The Bronx, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a deal that would close the controversial energy plant by 2021.
Just last year we wrote about Indian Point possibly being America’s Fukushima as reports revealed leaks at what the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission listed as the most dangerous nuclear power plant.
Adding to safety concerns, the plant sits atop a faultline placing it at further risks for a disaster that could impact millions of people.
Mr. Cuomo claimed the long-sought shutdown as a victory in the State of the State speech he delivered in the city on Monday, the first of six speeches he is scheduled to deliver around the state. He has argued for more than 15 years that it is unsafe for nuclear reactors to operate on the edge of the most populous metropolitan area in the country.
The plant has been the target of protests by local residents and environmental groups, but its supporters have argued that there are no adequate substitutes for its high output of low-cost, carbon-free power. Indian Point’s two reactors can produce more than 2,000 megawatts, or about one-fourth of the electricity consumed in the city and in Westchester County
“For 15 years, I have been deeply concerned by the continuing safety violations at Indian Point, especially given its location in the largest and most densely populated metropolitan region in the country,” Mr. Cuomo said in a prepared statement before his speech. “I am proud to have secured this agreement with Entergy to responsibly close the facility,” which could have remained open for another 14 years.
Now, more than ever, we need to push for cleaner, renewable energy in our state and country. There is so much potential yet we’ve only scratched the service.
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