Photo: Steven Pisano
Riverkeeper statement on rising energy costs and New York’s landmark climate law
March 5, 2026
Riverkeeper Team
Indian Point is an easy scapegoat for rising energy costs, but the closure of the aging nuclear power plant is not a significant contributor to these increases — the state's failure to build out renewable energy and implement common sense energy conservation measures is.
Riverkeeper’s focus has always been the health of the Hudson River and the communities that rely on it. We advocated for the closure of this nuclear power plant because it used outdated cooling technology that resulted in the needless killing of billions of Hudson River fish each year, and repeat failures in plant operations were contaminating the site and the river with radioactive materials. This is a legacy we are currently engaged in addressing.
Entergy, the company that owned Indian Point, made a financial assessment that the antiquated plant was no longer able to compete on the energy market. Rather than invest in upgrades at the plant and continuing operations, the company made a business decision to close it.
Today, energy costs are rising nationwide for a litany of reasons, including increased demand due to the proliferation of data centers powering AI, instability in the fossil fuel marketplace, and the Trump Administration blocking planned clean energy projects.
Had New York State delivered on its promises to advance wind and solar projects following Indian Point’s closure, New Yorkers would be getting the clean, affordable energy they deserve. Instead, New York is failing to fulfill its legal obligations under the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, which required it to achieve statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050, below 1990 levels.
Especially in light of the federal government’s efforts to block wind, solar, and battery storage projects, the Governor’s plans to overhaul New York’s landmark climate law are adding insult to injury. Climate change is one of the most urgent issues facing New York — already causing more intense precipitation events and longer periods of drought. The time to take committed action to reduce emissions is now.
And it can be done: A recent report from New Yorkers for Clean Air and Spring Street Climate Fund showed that if the state fully implemented the climate law, as planned, millions of households in New York would see reduced energy costs annually.
Indian Point is five years into being decommissioned, with the reactors already significantly dismantled. Holtec, the company tasked with decommissioning Indian Point, claims that rebuilding the power plant would cost $10 billion and take four years. This is likely a vast underestimate. Indian Point is a far cry from the energy crisis panacea that nuclear energy proponents claim.
In reality, solar plus storage is the cheapest form of energy by far. There are a number of policies the Governor could pursue in partnership with the legislature to expedite the delivery of clean, affordable energy. Putting a price on pollution works. Rather than looking backward and attempting to pressure lawmakers into a backroom budget deal at the eleventh hour, critics of the State’s climate law should prepare for what’s ahead and introduce legislation in broad daylight for the public to weigh in.
We urge the Governor to protect our future, not polluters.
Related campaigns
Strengthening protections against a changing climate
Supporting nature-based solutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change
New York City adaptation
Advocating for climate solutions for our waterways and communities in our nation’s largest city
Renewable energy transition
Working toward a sustainable future while protecting the Hudson River and its communities
Beyond Indian Point
Monitoring the shutdown of a nuclear power plant on the banks of the Hudson that killed billions of fish each year
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