Press Release from Energy Coalition: Assembly Committee Chairmen Draw Wrong Conclusion from Indian Point Hearing

The following is a press release from the New York Affordable Reliable Electicity Alliance, emailed on Feb. 1, 2012.

New York, NY/February 1, 2012 – Earlier today, the New York Assembly Committee on Energy and the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions released “preliminary findings” that the power plant could close with little impact on ratepayers and reliability. 

Jerry Kremer, Chairman of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, testified during a joint hearing the committees held on January 12 about Indian Point, the basis for today’s announcement.  Mr. 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 behalf of New York AREA, Mr. Kremer’s statement follows. 

“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. 

Indian Point provides 25 percent or more of New York City and the surrounding region’s power on a typical day.  There is no way around the fact that it is crucially important to the region’s economic health and future prosperity. 

“The Committees seem intent on downplaying this issue as well as the fact that there is clear and compelling evidence that Indian Point’s closure would cost City residents $2 to $3 billion, result in higher pollution and less healthy air, impair electricity reliability, and lead to at least 12,000 jobs losses.  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.

“At best, the committees are making multiple, long leaps of faith in saying New York can get by without Indian Point.  And they do so, without saying where new power plants will and should be built.  With the U.S. Energy Information Administration announcing just yesterday that New York has the country’s third highest electricity costs, we cannot afford, or risk, multiple, long, leaps of faith.

It seems the committees, both chaired by known opponents of Indian Point, were using the January 12 hearing to justify pre-established positions rather than to look informatively at this important issue.” 

About New York AREA: Founded in November 2003, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) is a diverse group of more than 150 business, labor, and community groups whose mission and purpose is to ensure that New York has an ample and reliable electricity supply, and economic prosperity for years to come. New York AREA helps to educate policy makers, businesses, and the general public regarding the necessity and importance of safe, low-cost and reliable electricity.  Entergy, the operator of Indian Point, is a member of New York AREA.  For additional information visit: www.area-alliance.org.