Entergy Stunned As Gov. Cuomo Continues Push To Close Indian Point
BUCHANAN, NY (WCBS 880) - Entergy officials knew that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to close the Indian Point nuclear power plant.
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But they were stunned after a meeting last week with a top advisor to the governor. It was the first time a member of the governor's staff told the plant operators face-to-face.
"If we're alarmed by anything, it was by, kind of the cavalier attitude of the staff up in Albany who don't seem to appreciate how important it is to have a reliable, clean, inexpensive supply of electricity in New York," says Entergy spokesman Jim Steets. "They were dismissive of the benefits and only committed to shutting down the plant. We're not entirely sure what the motivation was."
The Cuomo administration has made it clear it wants Indian Point shut down, saying there is simply too much at stake with two nuclear reactors just 35 miles north of New York City.
The governor also has new leverage in this fight -- legislation that streamlines the process for building new power plants.
Indian Point provides 25 percent of the electricity for New York City and Westchester County. Replacing that supply is a massive challenge.
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Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bloomberg is saying the equivalent of hang on a minute when it comes to closing the facility.
"Well, if you closed Indian Point down today we'd have enormous blackouts. There is no alternative to the energy that we get from Indian Point. Four or five years from now that probably is not going to be true," said Bloomberg on Wednesday. "All types of power generation have risks and nuclear hasn't killed anybody. The difference is that nuclear, in theory, has a much greater potential for a big problem. But I think when you really look at it, it's not going to be an easy decision."
His Honor added that you certainly can't do anything overnight.
