Power Play
Thursday, 24 May 2012 19:24
BY ANTHONY J. BAZZO
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Safety Report gives a passing grade to Entergy Nuclear’s Indian Point plant in the Westchester County village of Buchanan. The NRC report evaluates nuclear plants across the U.S.
Nuclear is the cleanest energy; it produces no greenhouse gases. Unsurprisingly, it once again has been issued a clean bill of health. Not to worry, though, for that will not stop those whose mission it is to shut Indian Point. Facts never get in their way, not when fear is easier to exploit.
The NRC study cites 25 issues needing attention at Indian Point. What is sure to be ignored by the “shut it down” crowd is that all 25 are deemed “very low risk” or “very low safety significance.”
Also likely to be overlooked by fear mongers is that Indian Point provides 2,062 megawatts of power. That is 12% of New York State’s power, or 30% of the power for New York City and Westchester. It also provides $800 million for the local economy and 1,300 jobs. Who cares, shut it down because there are potential dangers, as if there are not potential and proven dangers in other energy producing activities. Oh yeah, they are trying to shut them down also.
It is important to the “shut it down” crowd to hinder all types of energy production via regulation, fees and taxes so they can drive up the costs. You see this right now in the costs of natural gas. It has gone down significantly, where Con Edision would be able to lower the cost of electricity to this region. It can not because the State imposed regulations requiring Con Edison to use 20% renewable sources of energy which are significantly more expensive and thereby negates the lower cost of natural gas.
If the “shut it down” crowd were to succeed, we would be like California with rolling summer blackouts. They would like this then they could regulate how much and when we could use electricity. Control, it is always about control with this crowd. It is no different then their attempts to tighten supplies of fossil fuel to control our movements the methods we use to travel.
Do not let them fool you about alternatives. They have already passed laws to make alternatives more costly or impossible to deliver. What this all boils down to is that Indian Point is still safe and the “shut it down” crowd is still wrong. This is my opinion, you may beg to differ.
The opinions expressed by freelance contributors to PennySaver Community do not necessarily reflect those of PennySaver Community or its parent Chase Media Group.
To read more Bazzo, go to PennySaverCommunity.com, where you can submit responses to his opinions and post your own comments
Bazzo 05/25/12
Over 11,000 large Ocean oil tankers have been saved from going up the Hudson River Since 1962, which includes Indian Point # 1 which was shut down for not having a Backup Emergency Cooling System. Indian Point # 2 and #3 should also get the credit for shuting down the Rockland Tompkins Cove Coal burning power plant. Does any one remember the Coal dust and ash from all the New York City Coal fired power plants. They are now just for New York Steam using gas only in the winter.