The 2012 power replacement plan for Indian Point called for a mix of grid improvement, demand response, hydro, conservation, distributed generation, efficiency, and yes, unfortunately, gas. This was all delivered and the absence of CPV will be accounted for – given the excess amount of power that is already being produced and declining demand. Yes, demand is declining and is predicted to do so for the next five years.
Fossil fuels and uranium must stay in the ground.
It is unfortunate that some consistently pose the replacement issue as nuclear vs gas. This is not only divisive to those of us working for clean energy and focusing on nuclear – it is not accurate. It is the line politicians use and is far removed from reality. It is just not that simple.
Counting megawatts is no longer an acceptable model for a system as complex as the grid. The days of a baseload system are drawing to a close. Quick on and quick off is now one of the most important criteria. While gas meets this requirement so does wind, which is plentiful in Western NY. Solving transmission problems could bring that clean energy to Southern NY.
Unfortunately, solving infrastructure problems rarely generates corporate profits. As CPV illustrates there is big money to be made by corporations and some unethical individuals.This has nothing to do with clean energy policy or gas and nuclear generation. It has everything to do with the lies that are told by corporate interests and echoed by ill informed, self serving politicians.
Nuclear plants across the country are no longer profitable and are being propped up with public subsidies to the tune of billions of dollars. Keeping these plants operating is a crime against future generations. It means that climate change goes unaddressed while deadly high level radioactive waste continues to pile up.
Congratulations to those who have been working so hard to stop CPV on an amazing victory. It shows how we can all work to stop gas generation as aging nuclear plants like Indian Point fall out of our energy mix because they can no longer operate at a profit. Reduction of demand, and a fossil free grid, not just counting megawatts, is something we can all work for.
Fossil fuel and uranium must remain in the ground as we move towards distributive generation and a green grid.
