Indian Point Closing a Major Loss to Region

Entergy’s plans to close its Indian Point Energy Center in five years poses a wide range of significant and complex challenges for Westchester’s future economy, business climate and every resident. Entergy is a long-time and very active member of the Business Council and has worked tirelessly to assure the safe and efficient operation since acquiring Indian Point more than 20 years ago.

The Business Council has been proud to support the excellent work Entergy has done to run Indian Point and we appreciate the company’s strong commitment to continuing to maintain the highest level of operations and management during the remaining years.

As we have long stated, the power generated at Indian Point has played a direct role in stabilizing electricity costs in Westchester and the State of New York. We have repeatedly called for the plants to be relicensed, a process that has been unnecessarily dragged out for 15 years and counting. We are disappointed that this lack of action, coupled with the related massive legal costs, has contributed to the decision to shut down the facility.

We recognize that for some members of the community, and a number of elected officials the announcement is good news. Unfortunately, the shutdown poses an entirely new set of questions with no certain answers, including the loss of nearly 1,000 high-paying private-sector jobs and massive tax losses to the local community and school district.

Governor Cuomo has repeatedly called for the plant’s closure. We wait to learn how he intends to deal with the prospect of increased electric rates, the reliability of electric supply for Westchester and New York City and the myriad of environmental and other issues the shutdown inevitably will bring.

At the BCW we recognize and thank Entergy not only for its commitment to running its business, but to its generosity and support of countless community, non-profit organizations and families across the area. In short, they have consistently displayed the best of corporate citizenship. We look forward to working with the company over the next five years to ease this unfortunate exit.