Riverkeeper statement regarding NYISO’s Indian Point deactivation report
For immediate release: December 13, 2017
Contact: Cliff Weathers, Riverkeeper Communications Director
[email protected]; 845-445-8257
Riverkeeper statement regarding NYISO’s Indian Point deactivation report
OSSINING — Today, the New York Independent System Operator released a report analyzing the retirement of the Indian Point nuclear plant and its impacts to the reliability of the electric system. The report found that system reliability criteria can be met with one or more types of solutions including generation, transmission, energy efficiency, and demand response measures.
The report confirms a key finding in the 2017 report by Synapse Energy Economics, which was commissioned by Riverkeeper and NRDC: New York’s electric system will remain reliable when the old and increasingly dangerous Indian Point nuclear power plant retires. However, the NYISO assessment unnecessarily relies on natural gas-fired power plants and overlooks the potential to implement energy efficiency and renewable resources to reduce demand and lower electricity costs for consumers. The closure of Indian Point presents a perfect opportunity for Governor Cuomo to lead the charge on clean energy and set the course for our future by setting efficiency mandates for utilities and investing in renewables.
“New York can rely predominantly on energy efficiency, battery storage, wind and solar resources to replace Indian Point’s power if the appropriate policies are in place,” said Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay. “The Synapse report provides a detailed policy roadmap that describes how the state can secure this clean replacement power at a very small cost and without adding carbon pollution or risking reliability.
“Recent transmission improvements–coupled with energy efficiency gains, cheaper renewables and lower demand estimates–show that New York is already on its way to a reliable, affordable, clean energy future,” continued Gallay. “When Indian Point closes in 2021, we can replace its power more than twice over by relying on clean sources as long as we take advantage of the additional renewable energy and efficiency options available to us. The closing of Indian Point creates a huge opportunity for New York to lead on clean energy. We’ll have plenty of energy to keep the lights on — even on the hottest days — and New Yorkers won’t face big increases in electric bills.”
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