A coalition of environmental and social justice groups says the pending closure of the aging FitzPatrick nuclear power plant in Oswego County presents an opportunity to transition to true sources of renewable energy. At the same time, the groups aren’t ignoring the plight of the more than 600 plant workers or the community that are so dependent on the facility.
Opponents of nuclear power have long cited the dangers posed by FitzPatrick, especially because its flawed design is similar to the reactors that failed at the Fukishima plant in Japan in 2011. With the closure looming, the Alliance for a Green Economy’s Jessica Azulay says it’s time to take the next step toward greener energy.
"We vehemently oppose any attempt to subsidize FitzPatrick, whether it's through a direct bailout or through some kind of so-called clean energy standard that would force rate payers to pick up the tab for this struggling nuclear reactor. Nuclear power is by no means clean, it's not safe, and should never be prioritized over other energy sources."
Governor Cuomo recently announced that he will require utilities to buy 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. The Sierra Club’s Linda DeStefano says they support that goal, but without the nuclear element.
"Governor Cuomo is making the suggestion that nuclear energy should be a transition while we are working toward our clean energy future of solar, wind, energy efficiency, and so forth. It is not a transition. It would delay a true energy revolution, and that's what we need."
Coalition members say they’re fully aware of the devastation FitzPatrick’s closure will have on the community…from the loss of thousands of jobs in and around the plant to a decimated tax base. But Executive Director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service Tim Judson says the right transition plan could soften the blow, whenever it comes.
"Providing property tax assistance to Oswego after the plant closes, providing economic development funds, providing career assistance, job training, and and wage replacement assistance for workers that are displaced by the closure. All those things could be paid for, in addition to the renewable energy, at less than the cost of continuing to operate FitzPatrick."
Judson says the energy produced by FitzPatrick can be more than replaced by wind power within five years with three times as many jobs. He says there’s plenty of potential in Oswego County.
"Anybody whose been to Oswego County knows there's a lot of wind. Yet there's not a commercial windmill in the entire county at this point. A substantial amount of the wind power we're talking about could actually be built in Oswego County."
Judson says in neighboring Lewis County, many wind turbines are sited on farms, generating tax revenue. Others say there’s potential for supply chain development for wind and solar power, providing jobs and additional revenue.
CAMPAIGN TO SAVE FITZPATRICK
Oswego County residents and business leaders are part of a new ad campaign that asks for the governor’s help to keep the FitzPatrick nuclear power plant from closing. They’re not giving up after talks with the Cuomo administration failed to come up with a plan to keep the plant running.
[Audio clip from the video] "This is a community of 19,000 people. You're going to eliminate 600 jobs. You can imagine the impact that has on a small community like this..."
The on-line video is part of a multi-media ad campaign launched by the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency, which also includes a new website and newspaper ads. OCIDA Vice Chair Gary Tothsays they decided to go forward with the campaign despite plant owner Entergy’s letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission saying it intends to close the plant by early 2017.
"It's not a done deal yet. We believe there still is some hope. The governor needs to sit down and still negotiate with Entergy, talk with other companies that might want to take over FitzPatrick."
Toth is also a retired member of Carpenters Local 277, and has worked at all three Oswego County nuclear plants. More than 600 jobs are at stake at FitzPatrick, but Toth says that number actually tops a thousand when you factor in tradesmen and other support jobs. Add hundreds more for those working at hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, and Toth says it should be worth the state’s investment to save the plant.
"If James A. FitzPatrick does shut down, it's going to destroy the tax base of Oswego County, it's going to destroy the tax base of the Mexico School District. You're going to see skilled workmen, skilled tradesmen moving out of the are because they won't be able to find work if the plant closes down."
Toth says the plant still has at least another 15 years left on its license, so there’s plenty of life left to make it worthwhile for another owner. But for now, it appears Entergy’s notice to the NRC might be the end of any talks to keep the plant open.
