The controversial Indian Point nuclear plant near New York will close in 2021, a casualty of low energy prices and relentless criticism by environmentalists, the power company announced Monday.
Under an agreement with New York State, Entergy plans to shut down one of the two operating units at Indian Point by April 30, 2020, and the second unit will close a year after that.
Entergy attributed the decision to close the decades-old plant to shifting energy economics. Among the changes, power prices fell as much as 45 percent due to natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation in New York and Pennsylvania, part of the American shale boom.
"Key considerations in our decision to shut down Indian Point ahead of schedule include sustained low current and projected wholesale energy prices that have reduced revenues, as well as increased operating costs," said Bill Mohl, president of Entergy wholesale commodities.
Entergy said it would look for other opportunities for the 1,000 workers employed at Indian Point.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and environmentalists applauded the news since the plant, located within 30 miles of New York, has long been a concern due to safety problems and worries that an accident at the aging facility could affect some 20 million people.
Lower energy prices cited by the article have not been reflected in customer electricity bills. Indian Point supplies 30% of New York's power, so if the post-Indian point power supply drops by the same amount the high prices New Yorkers currently pay per kwh will climb even higher.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by LoRdTAW on Wednesday January 11 2017, @05:35PM
They probably included post 9-11 security. About a year after 9-11 I was working doing deliveries with a guy. He was the driver and turned up the access road to the plant instead of going further down the road to the marina. Anyway, we were greeted by four solders who promptly signaled us to turn around before we even got near the gate. The other three had hands on the trigger, ready to raise their rifles. I'm sure there are lots more security detail pulling patrols and such. Wouldn't be surprised if they also have boats patrolling as well since its on the Hudson.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 11 2017, @06:28PM
four solders
My memories of nuke plant security is that is contracted out (to the lowest bidder).
The stuff that comes to my mind is
That was in 2007, so, well after 9/11.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Thursday January 12 2017, @03:42PM
It was around a year or two after 9-11.