CNY Lawmakers Call on Assembly Energy Committee Chair to Tour Upstate Nuclear Plants

In an effort to highlight the benefits of nuclear energy, Central New York lawmakers are calling on Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Energy, to tour one of Upstate New York’s nuclear power plants and meet with employees.

This week, Assemblywoman Paulin, who represents part of Westchester County, wrote to Governor Cuomo questioning support for nuclear power included in the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Clean Energy Standard (CES). Earlier this month, the PSC announced the CES—which has set a goal of achieving 50 percent renewable energy generation by 2030—if approved in August, would include annual investments of over $480 million over the next 12 years in the form of zero-emission tax credits (ZEC) benefitting nuclear power plants.  

In a letter sent today to Assemblywoman Paulin, Senator Patty Ritchie, Senator Michael Nozzolio, Assemblyman Will Barlcay and Assemblyman Bob Oaks outlined the benefits of nuclear power to our state’s energy grid, as well as our economy, and invited the Assemblywoman to tour one of the Upstate New York plants.

“From strengthening our energy grid to protecting thousands of jobs, the benefits of nuclear to the region we represent, as well as our entire state, cannot be denied,” said the group in the letter.

“We invite you to visit Upstate New York, to tour one of our nuclear plants and meet the hardworking men and women responsible for their operation who could stand to lose their jobs if support for nuclear energy is not included in the CES.”

A Brattle Group report recently showed Upstate New York’s three nuclear energy power plants benefit the Central New York region—and the state—in a number of ways, including:

• Adding $3.16 billion to the state’s gross domestic product;
• Accounting for nearly 25,000 direct and indirect full time jobs;
• Contributing $150 million in net state tax revenues annually, which benefits our local schools and other institutions; and
• Reducing energy costs by $1.7 billion per-year. 

To view a copy of the group’s letter, please click on the PDF at the top of the page.