Congressman Mike Lawler is renewing his call for the reopening of the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan after a New York State energy policy paper acknowledged that the plant’s closure resulted in increased reliance on fossil fuels and higher emissions.
Lawler made the comments in response to a post by the New York Energy Alliance highlighting language contained in New York’s Advanced Nuclear Policy Options Paper, released in June by the New York State Department of Public Service and NYSERDA.
The state paper discusses the importance of maintaining reliable, zero-emission nuclear generation as New York works toward its clean-energy goals. In addressing the potential consequences of retiring existing nuclear plants, the report specifically points to Indian Point.
“This is not speculation,” the state paper says. “As seen by the closure of Indian Point Energy Center, the termination of clean, dispatchable resources leads immediately to increased fossil use and higher emissions.”
Indian Point’s two operating reactors, Units 2 and 3, shut down in April 2020 and April 2021, respectively, eliminating approximately 2,000 megawatts of nuclear generating capacity from the downstate power grid.
Responding to the report, Lawler said the closure “did not reduce emissions” and instead resulted in greater fossil fuel use downstate.
“I have been clear from the start. New York should pursue the reopening of Indian Point,” Lawler said. “We need reliable, affordable, carbon-free energy, not policies that force us to burn more fossil fuels. It’s time to get Indian Point back online.”
Lawler has repeatedly pushed for bringing nuclear generation back to Indian Point, arguing that the facility could help meet growing electricity demand while providing reliable carbon-free power.
The state’s acknowledgement does not mean New York has agreed to reopen Indian Point. The Hochul administration is instead pursuing a broader expansion of nuclear power, including plans for 5 gigawatts of new advanced nuclear generation, while Indian Point remains in the decommissioning process.
