Success: Dangerous Nuclear Plant to be Shut Down

Target: Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York

Goal: Applaud the planned closure of Indian Point, a dangerous nuclear power plant.

The state of New York has announced plans to permanently shut down Indian Point Energy Center, a nuclear plant about 30 miles north of New York City. In a speech to the state, Gov. Cuomo referred to the plant as a “ticking time bomb,” going on to say that the closure will provide “welcome relief, and New Yorkers can sleep a little better.” The decision is a victory for concerned locals, and is coming after years of pressure from environmental and public safety activists, including this petition published on ForceChange.

Indian Point has long been a concern for its proximity to densely populated areas, as well as its particularly precarious placement near an active fault line and right next to the Hudson River. Incidents in 2016 caused a troubling leakage of radioactive tritium from the plant, which prompted Gov. Cuomo to launch a multiagency investigation into the plant. Additionally, Indian Point was assessed in 2004 as a potential terrorist target, the results indicating that a successful attack on Indian Point could be devastating to the New York metropolitan area. Needless to say, New Yorkers should have one or two fewer sources of stress now that the plant is scheduled for closure.

Many are now wondering where the energy that was previously supplied by Indian Point – roughly a quarter of the power consumed by New York City and Westchester County – will come from, with concerns that the closure could lead to greater dependence on gas or coal. However, the state of New York is prepared to facilitate the transition by bringing in hydropower from Quebec, investing in wind farms, and offering incentives to lower energy use during peak times. Sign our petition to commend the Governor of New York for this clean energy victory.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Cuomo,

I am writing to express my gratitude and relief that the state of New York has made plans to shut down Indian Point Energy Center. I am aware that you personally opposed the plant for years, alongside local environmental groups, and this deal will be a substantial victory for the safety all New Yorkers.

In addition to the planned closure of Indian Point, I am further impressed by your goal of having renewables meet 50 percent of New York’s energy needs by 2030. As you may be aware, Robert Freudenberg, the director of energy and environmental programs for the Regional Plan Association, commented that “there is currently not enough carbon-free energy in the pipeline to replace Indian Point,” and that the state will now have to heavily prioritize development of renewable energy supplies.

If plans remain on course to develop a massive wind farm off the coast of New York, and add transmission lines to bring in hydropower from Quebec, I have no doubt that your great state will rise to meet this challenge. For the time being, the closure of Indian Point will eliminate severe environmental and public safety concerns, and certainly merits applause.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Daniel Case