BCW Presses for Answers on Impact of Indian Point Closing

BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon said the State Legislature must press Governor Andrew Cuomo on how New York State and the Hudson Valley will deal with the loss of tax dollars, potential energy shortages and increases in electric rates among other serious impacts that may arise with the closing of Indian Point power plants.

At a hearing in Peekskill sponsored by State Senator Terrence Murphy, Gordon said that a study conducted by the BCW four years ago predicted that the Buchanan plants’ closing would result in higher electric rates for businesses and consumers, more power outages, a rapid rise in carbon emissions and a devastating blow to Westchester’s economy. The study, she said, estimated that electric bills could rise by an average of 6.3 percent and Westchester could lose 3,300 jobs and more than $75 million in local property taxes, as well as another 2 million in charitable contributions made by Indian Point’s owners, Entergy.

“Four years later, these issues remain valid. Yet, the Governor and those who have relentlessly advocated for closing Indian Point have yet to begin to address how Westchester County and the region will deal with these critical issues,’’ said Gordon.

“It is imperative that all key stakeholders including members of the State Legislature press for answers to these questions. Once Indian Point is closed, what is the Governor’s plan to deal with the electric supply reliability, the increase of electric rates, the environmental and economic holes that will occur once Indian Point is closed?

As we work to attract new businesses to Westchester and encourage existing businesses to stay and grow, we will need detailed answers. Sadly, those discussions should have occurred before the Governor’s announcement that the plant would be closing.”

Among those also speaking at the hearing at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 21 meeting hall in Peekskill were Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, Westchester County Legislator John Testa, Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi and Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter.