U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) sent a
letter recently to New York State Public Service Commission Secretary Kathleen Burgess, urging her to consider all options before moving forward with the closure of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant in Upstate New York, stressing the possible negative impact on the area’s economy, as well as the potential reduction in available clean energy.
“As you know, there are discussions underway at Entergy Corporation about whether to carry out a scheduled refueling of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Scriba, New Yord,” the letter said. “The company cites difficult market conditions as a reason that it may decide against refueling the plant, and if that is indeed the decision, the plant will be forced to shut down.”
“To the extent that the Public Service Commission becomes engaged on this issue, and in any future discussions over what may be done to make market conditions more favorable to the plant, we implore you to consider the effect that closure would have on the regional economy, and the importance of maintaining a diverse portfolio of emissions-free energy production in our state,” the legislators wrote. “The FitzPatrick plant accounts for 600 highly technical, well-paid jobs that make up a very large portion of the region’s tax base.”
The letter also outlined how closure of the plant would force many laid-off employees to leave the area, causing exponential damage to the local economy, job market and tax revenues.
“FitzPatrick produces enough electricity to power 800,000 homes, and it does so without emitting any greenhouse gases,” the congressmen said. “As the state pursues its ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050, it will need a diverse array of emissions-free energy sources. FitzPatrick, and other nuclear facilities in the region, will play a vital role in meeting these long term goals.
“(FitzPatrick’s workforce) and the families they support are a credit to the community in Central New York, and we hope that all parties involved make every reasonable effort to keep this important source of clean energy and economic vitality open,” the letter said. “Please let us know if we can be of any assistance on this, or any issue. We look forward to staying in touch.”