Entergy agrees to shutter New York reactors

Entergy Corp. recently reached a deal with the state of New York to close its two nuclear reactors at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan.

The reactors, which were put online in the mid-70s, have been providing New York City with 25 percent of its energy needs and the state with approximately 10 percent of its requirements. Under the agreement, they will be shut down by 2021.

The premature closure comes as the country is experiencing lower energy costs and the nuclear site is sustaining higher operating costs.

Nuclear Energy Institute President Maria Korsnick said the United States must become better prepared to protect the infrastructure represented by nuclear power plants.

“I am personally saddened by the impact that Indian Point’s closing will have on the plant, its employees, their families, and surrounding communities," she said.

Korsnick pointed to examples set by New York and Illinois in their efforts to maintain their nuclear power plants.

"Gov. Cuomo last year led the successful effort to preserve upstate nuclear power plants through a zero-emissions standard that values their clean air attributes," she said. "Similarly, Illinois only weeks ago enacted legislation to preserve at-risk nuclear facilities in that state."