Rock the Earth Regional Volunteer Coordinator (NYC) Kevin O’Donohue attended the Safe Energy Summit in Stony Point, NY, April 29 – May 1. At the summit were representatives from many different organizations sharing ideas and brainstorming on ways to close Indian Point Energy Center. Indian Point Energy Center is a nuclear power plant located 25 miles north of New York City. The plant is 40 years old, operating on expired permits, and is located between two fault lines. It has evidence of leaks and faulty hardware that make it increasingly dangerous.
“Nuclear energy is a multi-faceted issue. While closing Indian Point was the main topic of discussion, the group did touch on other pitfalls of nuclear energy as it affects our country as a whole.
“Indian Point is likely going to be closed only if it becomes unprofitable for its owner, Entergy. So an immediate action that the group wanted to focus on was getting nuclear energy taken off the Clean Energy Standard that was proposed by Governor Cuomo. If nuclear energy is included on the standard as a green energy, it would be eligible for subsidies and bail-outs. If we force nuclear power companies to have to compete in the free market, there is a good chance that it will not be successful.” – Kevin O’Donohue