Energy Groups Urge Governor Hochul to Restart Indian Point Nuclear Plant

Energy groups are advocating for Governor Kathy Hochul to restart the Indian Point nuclear reactors, which have been inactive since their closure in 2021 under former Governor Andrew Cuomo. This push coincides with a new advertising campaign for "Climate Week," featuring a billboard truck displaying Hochul's image with the message, "open up Indian Point, or the heat goes out and the light goes out." Indian Point, located in Westchester County, was closed following concerns from anti-nuclear activists and politicians regarding its proximity to New York City. Hochul is currently leading an initiative to enhance New York's low energy generation capacity by exploring the construction of new nuclear reactors, as residents face rising utility bills. Steve Milloy, a senior fellow at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute, criticized Hochul for not advocating for the recommissioning of Indian Point, despite the existing infrastructure. Hochul has referred to the closure of Indian Point as a "mistake" but has not considered reopening it. She noted that the shutdown resulted in a loss of approximately 25% of New York City’s power, which was not anticipated. Hudson Valley Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) has included the reopening of Indian Point in his reelection campaign, emphasizing the need for reliable power sources. Additionally, the US Army has announced plans to install a small nuclear energy generator at Ft. Drum in New York as part of a broader initiative to deploy small reactors at military bases across the country. The organizations funding the billboard campaign include the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, the American Energy Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the Heartland Institute, and Truth in Energy and Climate.