Take a Stand to Protect Nuclear Energy, the Environment and our Economy

by Contributor | June 20, 2017 2:41 pm

Submitted by Operation Oswego County
OSWEGO – For the past two years, our Upstate communities have rallied for the continued operation of R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station and the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant.

Our voices were heard, and as of April 1, the Clean Energy Standard (CES) and Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) program were implemented, creating a path for long-term operation, and preserving important jobs, tax dollars, and clean energy for our region.

However, two weeks ago, the New York Legislature introduced two bills (A8246/S6611) that would significantly alter or possibly end altogether the approved ZEC program.

These bills seek to cap the cost of the ZEC program or change the distribution of costs to other customer classes.

These proposals are insufficient to fund the ZEC program and leave these nuclear energy facilities vulnerable to substantial financial losses and likely closure.

They threaten to undo months of negotiations, rallies, letter writing and advocacy for the Clean Energy Standard.

We are asking all of our community partners for support once again.

There are only a few days left in the legislative session; session is expected to end the close of business June 21.

We would greatly appreciate if you would consider placing a call or email with the representatives below, who have direct influence over these bills, and tell them you oppose these bills.

• Tell them how these bills could threaten the prosperity of your community and New York as a whole.
• Tell them changing New York’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) and Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) program in a manner that decreases ZEC revenue would put the upstate nuclear plants at risk of closure.
• Tell them not to give into special interest groups in the 11th hour, when this innovative and popular policy, a model for other states, has been in effect since April.
• Tell them the CES avoids 16 million tons of carbon emissions and other harmful air pollutants and ensures New York’s upstate nuclear facilities continue to generate more than 25,000 jobs; contribute more than $3 billion to New York’s economy; and deliver $144 million in annual state and local taxes.
• Remind them that these upstate nuclear facilities provide 19 percent of ALL the energy produced in NY.
• Tell them that as proof of the economic impact of New York’s nuclear facilities, the owner of the facilities has already spent more than $300 million in the past four months in the region to refuel three reactors. More than 3,000 union laborers were hired on to assist in those refueling activities. They spent money in local restaurants, hotels and shops and helps the economy of the entire state through the purchase of goods and services.
• Remind them that the Clean Energy Standard was fully debated and carefully balanced over the course of 24 hearings, technical conferences, and other forums overseen by the NYPSC. There was significant public input to this program.

 

Raise your voice to protect our plants.

Please call or email the key New York legislators listed on this list.[1]

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/take-a-stand-to-protect-nuclear-energy-the-environment-and-our-economy/

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