“A newly released study shows that a long term process of shutting Indian Point would be feasible despite possible high initial costs.

The National Academy of Sciences report released Tuesday showed that energy needs for Westchester County and the rest of the New York City region can be met without Indian Point, given the slack is picked up by New York City, and a dramatic reduction in consumer energy usage.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said that a combination of newer energy alternatives, such as wind and coal power, and a decreased demand for electricity, will keep the cost of closing Indian Point and the regeneration of new energy means, reasonably lower.

“We can meet the region’s energy demand without Indian Point,” said the congresswoman. “Indian Point’s owner and supporters have long opposed calls for closure, claiming the plant is indispensable to our energy infrastructure,” she said. “The NAS report proves that it is simply not valid.”

Indian Point’s James Steets said the report was very comprehensive and well done. “Even the report acknowledges that Entergy has run the plant ‘extremely well,’ to use their words, so we understand how important this asset is and take very seriously our responsibility to operate the plant safely for the benefit of the area,” he said.

Lowey noted that New York has not done its duty to promote alternative fuel generation, that the closing of IP would be a great catalyst for a new energy campaign.

The study did not conclude any specific financial ramifications of the shutdown of Indian Point, but it did conclude that an accelerated process would be more harmful to the environment and more expensive to the taxpayers than a long term project.

The committee chairman, Lawrence Papay, recommended that the best timeframe to shut down the plant would be after their operating licenses expire in 2013 and 2015.

The 1 ½ year study cost roughly $1 million, monies secured by Lowey secured three years ago.

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