This turning point shows how much we can achieve goals if we continue to fight for change. Ten years ago, the closure of Indian Point seemed like a huge challenge. This week will see the closure of Indian Point`s first reactor, without red flags of reliability monitors at NYISO, and in the context of the acceleration of climate progress and clean energy in New York State, which was almost unimaginable when we all launched this fight. The closure of Indian Point Unit 2 this week shows what we can do if we dare to accept the greatest energy challenges and use visions, passion and skillful commitment to this task. In accordance with the 2017 agreement, the Indian Point 2 unit is expected to be completed by today and Unit 3 by April 30, 2021. Entergy also explained that lower natural gas prices and rising reactor operating costs were key factors in its decision to close Indian Point. A recent study showed that it was not a question of increasing natural gas electricity generation to meet New York State`s clean energy targets by 2025, but that it was a development from renewable energy, storage and energy efficiency that far exceeds the loss of electricity generation from Indian Point reactors. Climate Coalition, an association of individuals, environmental groups, climate advocates and clean energy advocates, last week signed a petition and letter from more than 5,000 environmentalists to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to postpone the closure of Indian Point, which the organization said would “increase emissions, violate the health of residents. , would destabilize the network and reset New York`s climate agenda.” Since nuclear power plants do not cause air pollution that could worsen the effects of COVID-19, the signatories also stated that Indian Point`s online attitude could save lives during and after the current pandemic. Nearly 47 years after its commissioning, India`s Point 2 reactor closes today, April 30, 2020.

The PWR is located on the Hudson River, 48 km from Manhattan, New York, and was removed from the network as part of an unusual agreement reached on January 9, 2017 between Entergy, the NGO Riverkeeper and New York State. In recent years, Entergy has invested more than $1 billion in the two remaining 2- and 3-unit units, a small 250 MW reactor, which was dismantled in 1974, just 12 years after its maintenance. “In addition, the closure of Indian Point now unnecessarily contributes to New York`s vulnerability, just as the state`s resources are reduced when faced with the pandemic,” he said, adding that the closure could add to the current crisis to network weakness and unpredictability. In accordance with the agreement, India`s Point 2 unit is concluded by April 30, 2020 and Unit 3 for April 30, 2021. Other important concepts are: since the announcement of the closure of Indian Point, annual savings in renewable energy generation and energy efficiency have increased by about 6,550 GWh across the country, which corresponds to the energy produced by one of The Indian Point reactors. This is an important data point that pro-nuclear authors ignore. For years, environmentalists have emphasized energy efficiency as a powerful substitute for Indian Point, and the data show that the state`s energy efficiency policy can and will be provided.