For Immediate Release: 5/9/18

Tom Congdon,  Chair
                                              
Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
 
 
 
  18029/17-00994
May 09, 2018

Indian Point Closure Task Force Issues Two Key Reports

Task Force Accomplishments Include Local Tax Assistance, Employment Agreements, Addressing Reliability Concerns, and Issuing Reuse Study for Indian Point Upon Closure

 

ALBANY — The New York State Indian Point Closure Task Force today released two key studies regarding the pending closure of the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, Westchester County. The studies issued today include an annual report on Task Force activities and a study detailing possible reuses for the facility upon closure.
 
“The Task Force is pleased to issue its first Annual Report that documents significant progress is being made to plan a smooth transition to a future without Indian Point,” said Task Force Chair Tom Congdon. “Over the last year, the Task Force conducted a thorough analysis of impacts related to the closure; commissioned an independent analysis of site reuse and reutilization options; assessed needs and strategies related to employment, taxing jurisdictions, and energy supply; and inventoried federal, state, and local resources.”
 
The Task Force’s work-to-date has provided the foundational information and support that will help mitigate the impacts to the communities affected by the plant’s closure. Input from public meetings of the task force contributed to these reports.
 
The draft Annual Report being issued for public comment today noted the following:
 
  • Local Taxes: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Legislature, led by local representatives Senator Terrence Murphy and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, expanded the State’s Electric Generation Facility Cessation Program to ensure state funding assistance will be available to the affected taxing jurisdictions when Indian Point closes. Legislation was also enacted authorizing the Hendrick Hudson School District to establish a Reserve Fund that will allow the District to smooth out reductions in payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) post-closure.
  • Employment: The UWUA Local 1-2 reached a 4-year agreement with Entergy, affecting hundreds of workers at the plant. The agreement provides for a retention incentive to maintain full employment through closure, and resulted in ongoing discussions about UWUA’s role in preparing the site for decommissioning post-closure.  In addition, the Department of Labor is in the process of working with all employees to develop career transition plans, and will be identifying retraining opportunities for affected workers. 
  • Energy Reliability: On December 13, 2017, the New York Independent System Operator issued a report on system reliability impacts of Indian Point closure in 2021, and concluded that the plant can close on schedule without negatively impacting reliability. 
  • Decommissioning and Reuse: While Entergy has not yet filed its plans for decommissioning, the State contracted with DL English Consulting, a firm with expertise in nuclear licensing and decommissioning, to develop a Reuse Study, which was issued along with the Annual Report. The report provides substantial background information on the decommissioning process and identifies three parcels of the IPEC property that could potentially be made available for redevelopment in the near-term concurrent with the decommissioning of the plant.  The Reuse report will be a valuable resource to the State and host communities when discussing decommissioning and future use of the property with Entergy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).    
 
In terms of immediate next steps, the Task Force will accept public comments on the Annual Report over the next 30 days prior to submitting the final version to Governor Cuomo and Legislature. Long-term, the Task Force will continue focusing on new economic development opportunities in the affected taxing jurisdictions that can help to replace lost PILOT revenue.  It will also examine in-depth the decommissioning process so that State agencies and host communities can effectively work with NRC and Entergy to ensure a timely and safe decommissioning of the plant.  The Reuse Study will be foundational to that process. The Department of Labor will continue to work with the workforce to develop individualized transition plans and will identify retraining opportunities.
 
On the federal level, the State is actively participating in the NRC-rulemaking process advocating for strong safety standards post-closure. The Task Force will also work with representatives in Congress, including Rep. Nita Lowey, to identify federal actions that will be needed to assist the affected region. 
 
The Task Force was created by Governor Cuomo to provide guidance and support to the communities, taxing jurisdictions, and employees affected by the planned closure of Indian Point. The Task Force is partnering with local governments to address employment and property tax impacts, develop new economic opportunities and work force retraining. The Task Force will also monitor compliance with the closure agreement, coordinate ongoing safety inspections and review reliability and environmental concerns, among other issues.
 
Task Force Members include:
 
State Representatives: Senator Terrence Murphy; Assemblywoman Sandy Galef; and several state agencies, including the Office of the Governor; Education Representatives; Department of Public Service; Department of Environmental Conservation; Department of Labor; Department of Tax and Finance; Empire State Development; New York State Energy Research & Development Authority; Department of State; New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services; and the New York Power Authority.
 
Local Representatives: Catherine Borgia, Majority Leader, Westchester County Board of Legislators; John G. Testa, Minority Leader, Westchester County Board of Legislators; Linda D. Puglisi, Supervisor, Town of Cortlandt; Joseph Hochreiter, Superintendent, Hendrick Hudson School District; and Theresa Knickerbocker, Mayor, Village of Buchanan.
 
Labor Representatives: Teamsters Local 456; Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2; and Westchester Putnam Central Labor Council.
 
Comments on the Annual Report can be submitted by going to the Department’s website at www.dps.ny.gov and entering matter number 17-00994 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Documents may also be obtained from the Department’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

 
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