Congressman Mike Lawler was joined Friday by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright for a visit to the site of the former Indian Point Energy Center, where the two officials called for rebuilding and reopening nuclear facilities as part of a broader effort to lower energy costs and strengthen the reliability of New York’s electric grid.
Standing at the site of the former power plant — which once supplied roughly a quarter of the region’s electricity — Lawler said the closure of Indian Point, along with the blocking of key energy infrastructure projects, has contributed to rising electricity costs and increased strain on the state’s power grid.
During the visit, Lawler also highlighted his newly introduced Economic Recovery for Nuclear-Affected Communities Act, legislation aimed at providing economic relief to communities that lost jobs and tax revenue following the closure of nuclear plants but continue to store spent nuclear fuel onsite.
Communities across the country, including those in New York, are currently serving as long-term nuclear waste storage sites after plant closures. While these communities lost jobs and significant tax revenue, the nuclear fuel remains onsite, limiting redevelopment opportunities and deterring future investment.
“New Yorkers are now paying nearly 60 percent more for electricity than the national average, and prices have risen dramatically over the past several years,” Lawler said. “You cannot shut down nuclear plants, block natural gas pipelines, and impose costly mandates, and then act surprised when families are hit with some of the highest utility bills in America. I want to thank Secretary Chris Wright for being here today and for his leadership on strengthening America’s energy security.”
Lawler added that he is advocating for the rebuilding and reopening of Indian Point as part of what he described as an “all-of-the-above energy strategy.”
“That means supporting nuclear energy, approving critical infrastructure like natural gas pipelines, and ensuring communities like Buchanan are not left behind after decades of helping power our state,” Lawler said.
Secretary Wright echoed those concerns, arguing that energy policies across the Northeast have contributed to higher electricity prices.
“Across the Northeast, including in New York, Americans are paying some of the highest electricity prices in the country because political leaders blocked critical infrastructure and prematurely shut down power plants that deliver affordable, abundant power,” Wright said. “These actions have driven up electricity costs for millions of Americans.”
Wright added that the administration’s energy policy focuses on expanding reliable American energy production, creating jobs, and lowering electricity prices for families and businesses nationwide.
Officials said the visit underscored the importance of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, including nuclear power, renewable energy, and responsibly developed natural gas, to ensure the nation’s energy supply remains reliable and affordable.
