NEI Nuclear Energy Institute : Reacts to News of Indian Point’s Premature Closing

Nuclear Energy Institute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 09, 2017

Recognition Growing of Importance to Critical Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Entergy Corp. today announced the premature closing of the company's Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York. The company plans to shut down the facility's two reactors in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Following is a statement from Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

'As a former nuclear plant site vice president and chief nuclear officer, I am personally saddened by the impact that Indian Point's closing will have on the plant's employees, their families and the surrounding communities. I know that Entergy will do everything it possibly can to support affected workers.

'As unpleasant as it is to see the business decision that Entergy has been forced to make in an era of sustained, record-low natural gas prices, we are seeing increased recognition of nuclear energy's value. In New York itself, Gov. Cuomo last year led the successful effort to preserve upstate nuclear power plants through a zero-emissions standard that values their clean air attribute. Similarly, Illinois only weeks ago enacted legislation to preserve at-risk nuclear facilities in that state. More must be done-with urgency-to preserve financially challenged nuclear plants in other states, but momentum is building.

'Nuclear energy will continue to play a vital role in our nation's economic and environmental future. Nuclear energy facilities operating in 30 states provide electricity to one of every five U.S. homes and businesses, and they generate about 70 percent of our nation's 'always on' clean air electricity. Nuclear power plants have no equal as around-the-clock electricity producers. For 15 years straight, our industry average capacity factor has been right around 90 percent-a level of efficiency that no other electricity source comes close to.

'I'm confident that federal and state lawmakers increasingly will view nuclear energy facilities as a vital component of our nation's industrial and electrical infrastructure, even as companies continue to innovate and design the next-generation nuclear energy technologies that will strengthen our energy diversity and energy security for generations to come.'