Congressman Mike Lawler sharply criticized Rockland County Legislators Alden H. Wolfe and Beth Davidson after the two lawmakers publicly opposed efforts to reopen the former Indian Point Energy Center, reigniting a heated debate over energy policy in the Hudson Valley.
The dispute follows comments by Wolfe and Davidson warning that reopening the nuclear facility would pose risks to public safety, public health, and the environment. The legislators said the plant’s location near seismic fault lines, concerns over radioactive leaks, and the difficulty of evacuating densely populated areas were among the reasons Rockland officials pushed for the plant’s closure in the first place.
However, Lawler fired back in a statement Wednesday, blaming New York’s energy policies for soaring electricity prices and arguing that shuttering Indian Point has made the problem worse.
“Residents in Rockland County and across the Hudson Valley are suffocating under rising energy prices because of New York’s disastrous energy policies,” Lawler said. “In fact, since the announced closure of Indian Point, New York has seen a nation-leading 58% increase in electricity costs.”
Lawler noted that the plant once produced roughly a quarter of the region’s electricity and argued that closing it—while also blocking natural gas pipelines and other infrastructure—has contributed to higher energy prices across the state.
“If Michigan can do it, there is no reason New York can’t,” Lawler said, pointing to plans by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to reopen the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, which would become the first nuclear facility in the United States to restart after being shut down.
Lawler also accused Wolfe and Davidson of allowing politics to dictate energy decisions.
“Spineless politicians like Beth Davidson and Alden Wolfe are part of the problem; they are more interested in letting politics, not science, drive our energy decisions and are happy to kill good-paying union jobs, crush our municipalities and school districts with lost tax revenue, and stop clean, reliable, and affordable energy for consumers,” Lawler said.
The congressman added that reopening Indian Point should be part of an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that includes nuclear power, renewable energy, and natural gas infrastructure to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for New York residents.
Wolfe and Davidson, meanwhile, argue that policymakers should instead focus on renewable and sustainable energy solutions such as offshore wind, solar, and geothermal power.
Mike, are you nuts? Do you realize that Indian point would now be the hottest terrorist target in the world. if those Camel jockeys would’ve put one of those airplanes into that instead of World Trade Center none of us would be living here in Rockland county none of us would be living in Westchester County none of us would be living in a 50 mile radius of here. God I always thought you were smart. Now you’re starting to sound stupid.
It’s time for Lawler to leave , he’s becoming to powerful
#lawler out of monsey
The Case for Lawler and the Truth About New York’s Energy Disaster
Let’s stop pretending.
New Yorkers are being crushed by soaring electricity bills, and the political establishment that engineered this disaster now wants to pretend they had nothing to do with it.
They did.
And Congressman Mike Lawler is absolutely right to call them out.
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The Self-Inflicted Energy Crisis
For decades, Indian Point Energy Center quietly powered the Hudson Valley.
It produced about 25% of the region’s electricity—reliable, clean, and around the clock.
No blackouts.
No volatility.
No dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Then Albany politicians decided ideology mattered more than reality.
When Andrew Cuomo forced the plant’s closure, experts warned exactly what would happen:
• Electricity prices would spike
• Natural gas demand would explode
• Grid reliability would weaken
• Carbon emissions would increase
Every one of those warnings came true.
Since the announced closure of Indian Point, New York electricity costs have surged roughly 58%—one of the largest increases in the nation.
Families in Rockland County, Westchester, and across the Hudson Valley are now paying the price for a political decision masquerading as environmental policy.
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Ideology Over Science
Instead of admitting the mistake, the same politicians doubled down.
They shut down nuclear power.
They blocked natural gas pipelines.
They strangled energy infrastructure.
And then they act shocked when energy prices explode.
Congressman Lawler is right: when politics replaces science, working families get hurt.
Communities lose:
• Union jobs
• School tax revenue
• Municipal funding
• Affordable electricity
Indian Point was not just a power plant—it was an economic engine for the Hudson Valley.
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The Michigan Reality Check
While New York continues its ideological experiment, other states are moving back toward common sense.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is working to reopen the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, which would become the first nuclear facility in the United States ever restarted after closure.
Why?
Because nuclear power works.
It is:
• Clean
• Reliable
• Carbon-free
• Available 24/7
The rest of the country is waking up to this reality.
New York should too.
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The Path Forward: An All-of-the-Above Strategy
Energy policy should not be a religion.
It should be practical.
Congressman Lawler is advocating for exactly what New York needs: an all-of-the-above strategy that includes:
• Nuclear energy
• Renewable energy
• Natural gas infrastructure
• Grid modernization
That is not radical.
That is responsible leadership.
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The Bottom Line
The closure of Indian Point was one of the worst energy policy decisions in New York history.
It hurt families.
It hurt workers.
It hurt the environment.
And now the same politicians who created the problem are trying to dodge responsibility.
Congressman Lawler deserves credit for saying what many New Yorkers already know:
Energy policy driven by ideology instead of science has real consequences.
If Michigan can recognize the value of nuclear power and bring a plant back online, there is absolutely no reason New York cannot reconsider Indian Point.
Until Albany is willing to admit its mistakes, Hudson Valley residents will continue paying the price—every time they open their electric bill.
Heshey we can walk and chew gum at the same time!
We can have cheap clean energy and protect the plant against terror. Have you looked at your utility bills recently???? It’s ridiculous! This climate change hoax is financially ruining us and NOT saving the planet! Down with Beth Davidson! Elect her and that’s one more nail in our coffins. She is a lunatic!
Do you also believe the earth is flat?
B”H
Maybe building a new plant in an area not near an earthquake seismic fault line would be viable. The first commentator’s user name is a profanity and should be changed to a non-offensive one or s/he should not be permitted to leave further comments.
Bottom line Lawler needs to be out
U are very dumb, mike lawler is the greatest congressman u can get, he did so much for the jewish community and is very smart, it should open up