Over 220 Upstate New York Leaders Call on PSC to Maintain Support for Nuclear Power

State Senator Patty Ritchie and over 220 elected officials and community leaders from throughout Upstate New York are urging the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to stand firm in its commitment to supporting nuclear power plants and the jobs, economic benefits and energy grid stability they are responsible for. 

Those signing the letter include state and county legislators, city mayors and council members, town supervisors and board members, village mayors and trustees, school district superintendents and board of education members, along with other community leaders. The letter comes just ahead of a December 15th  meeting where the PSC will be responding to petitions for a rehearing on the Clean Energy Standard.

Nuclear power generation is a key piece within New York State’s Clean Energy Standard that was approved earlier this year by the PSC. This plan establishes the state’s clean energy objectives, and the continued operation of Upstate nuclear power plants—including the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County— is closely tied to meeting these ambitious goals.

“This tremendous outpouring of support for our nuclear power facilities is wide-ranging. Many of those who signed this letter are from outside my district,” said Senator Ritchie. “Keeping these plants operational has a direct impact on the availability of jobs, the economy, the environment, and the reliability of our grid – issues of great importance to residents across New York.  Nuclear power needs to be a key component in our state’s strategy for energy production, and I hope the PSC will continue to recognize just how widespread the support is to maintain it.” 

The letter signers, who themselves represent hundreds of thousands of constituents, emphasized the importance of supporting nuclear power, saying in the letter, “Upstate nuclear power facilities play a vital role in building a robust economy, ensuring a healthy environment, and sustaining a reliable energy grid.”

The letter continued, “Importantly, nuclear power plants produce nearly a third of the energy consumed in the State and are critical to maintaining diversity in our energy resources. Nuclear power plants generate electricity without producing carbon and other harmful emissions typical of many other forms of energy generation, with current utilization offsetting up to 16 million tons of carbon emissions annually.”

Last month, the New York State Public Service Commission approved the transfer of FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant from Entergy to Exelon. Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the transfer.  Approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is still needed and recently, Senator Ritchie sent a letter to the NRC urging swift approval of the sale.

A copy of the letter can be viewed by clicking on the PDF link at the top of the page.