State Must Plan to Protect Residents and Ratepayers when Indian Point Closes

(Albany, NY) -- Senator David Carlucci is calling for the State to make sure that residents and ratepayers are protected in the process of shutting down the Indian Point Nuclear Facility by 2021.  

"I applaud the Governor's leadership on this issue but the first priority is to make sure that there is a plan in place to safely store the spent nuclear fuel rods while making sure utility rates for consumers won't skyrocket while converting to alternative energy sources," stated Senator Carlucci.  

Carlucci is the sponsor of S2839* that would create a dedicated fund used for safe storage of nuclear materials ,including spent fuel rods, after they are utilized. The "Nuclear Storage Safety Fund" would be funded by nuclear facilities in an emergency planning zone with more than 200,000 residents.  

"While Indian Point ends operations over the next few years, there has to be a proactive plan to safely store nuclear materials that will be radioactive for years in a way that protects community members and the natural environment," Carlucci concluded.   

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NOTE: S2839 is the 2016 bill number