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 Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the deal with Indian Point?

Indian Point, located 36 miles north of New York City in Westchester County, is the only nuclear plant in downstate New York. 

In January 2017, the governor's office announced Unit 2 would be shut down in April of 2020 and Unit 3 would be shut down in April of 2021. With Unit 2 de-fueled, Unit 3 is operating for a few more months before both reactors are supposed to enter decommissioning in late May 2021.

Is there anything wrong with the two reactors? 

No, there is nothing wrong with the reactors from a technical perspective. Entergy was in the process of relicensing the plant, had completed all required plant upgrades, and was fully expected to receive its license extension from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

So why is the plant shutting down?

As is the case with Diablo Canyon in California, the answer is politics.

In addition to approval from the NRC, Entergy needed permits from New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for the use of cooling water from the Hudson River to continue operating.

Prominent New York politicians at the time were opposed to the plant operating, and in 2010 NYSDEC rejected Entergy’s application for its water permit.  

In the meantime, cheap natural gas cut New York’s wholesale electricity prices by half between 2014 and 2019, rendering all energy sources other than burning gas uneconomic. While New York allowed Zero Emission Credits (ZECs) to its upstate nuclear plants for a limited time, the Department of Public Service (DPS) decided to not grant ZECs to Indian Point in 2016. 

How will New York replace Indian Point?

Over the last 10 years, nuclear plants in Vermont, California, and Massachusetts were closed prematurely and replaced by fossil fuels. In fact, the loss of Indian Point Unit 2 has already resulted in a commensurate increase in fossil combustion.

If Indian Point is permanently closed, natural gas will continue to be used for much longer to reliably power New York.

What are the environmental implications of losing Indian Point?

If Indian Point is allowed to shut down, New York will be losing 2 GW of zero-carbon generating capacity, enough to power 2.3 million homes. Losing clean nuclear will increase the burning of fossil fuels in plants within New York city and Long Island. Carbon emissions from electricity could increase 6.8 million metric tons, the equivalent of adding 1.5 million new cars to the road. This would be a major setback for public health, air pollution, and climate goals.

What are the economic implications of losing Indian Point?

Nuclear plants provide permanent, high-wage, high-skill jobs, for multiple generations of workers at the same location. And for every 100 nuclear power plant jobs, 66 more jobs are created in local communities. Indian Point employs 1,000 full-time employees and stimulates another 2,800 jobs in its surrounding counties.

Indian Point’s operation generates $1.3 billion of annual economic output in its local counties, $1.6 billion statewide, and $2.5 billion across the U.S. The facility is one of the largest taxpayers in Westchester County, contributing about $30 million in state and local property taxes in 2014. These taxes contribute to the budget for local schools, fire, police and other services, along with local tax revenues based on the residency of the plant’s workforce. The operation generates $340 million in tax revenue to the local, state and federal governments. 

Replacing in-state nuclear generation with gas turbines both inside and outside of the state, will result in a net tax revenue and job loss for New York.

Wind turbines, solar panels and batteries are almost never manufactured in New York, owing to high labor and energy costs, meaning the addition of these power sources will not be accompanied by the establishment of significant, permanent in-state employment.

Can the plant keep operating? 

Yes! In fact, Indian Point Units 2 and 3 are fully licensed by the NRC to operate until April 2024 and April 2025, respectively. There is no barrier to relicense these plants to operate for another 40 years or more.

Can the decision be reversed?

Yes! Under the Closure Agreement, Governor Cuomo can declare an electrical emergency to keep the plants operating 2 years at a time. During this time, Entergy could work to secure state licenses and reapply for license renewal with the NRC. The U.S. Secretary of Energy also has the power to nullify the closure agreement.