Implications of Bailing Out Fitzpatrick and Nine Mile Point

James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant
Source: http://www.wrvo.org/post/fitzpatrick-nuclear-power-plant-still-offline-after-unexpected-shutdown

Background

The James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant and Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plants are both located in Oswego, NY. They are both owned by Exelon Corporation. Nuclear power generates baseload power without producing the harmful pollutants of coal, another baseload power source. The two plants are highly efficient and are seen as a large part of the 2015 Clean Energy Standard passed in New York State.

There is controversy as to whether they should remain open. Environmentalists have criticized the heavy dependence on Nuclear power for Upstate and Central New York due to the potential for nuclear contamination fo groundwater or Lake Ontario. Proponents for nuclear argue the heavy demand in the state has to be met with large generation of energy.

Advantages to the area
Nine Mile Point has two units of nuclear facilities. They are rated 1,907 M and deliver to two million homes in Upstate New York. Fitzpatrick Plant has one unit of facility and is 838 MW. Nuclear power is zero emissions and there are no concerns about sulfur dioxide or nitrous oxides that are common from coal plants. It is a source that is essential for providing the baseload power necessary for customers to power their homes and appliances. Furthermore, the plant's locations upstate are not densely populated, so if a plant failure were to occur, many fewer lives would be at risk compared to if Indian Point failed.

Nuclear power is stated to be a large part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s renewable energy plan.  Nuclear is a very reliable power source. On the other hand, renewable technology is still relatively new and energy production varies based on weather conditions. Despite some investments, renewables not been widespread in the Upstate region so far. 

Nuclear also offers employment to a number of technicians and staff members in the Upstate region. The plants provide high-paying jobs to workers, whose salaries would be impossible to replace if the plants closed.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant
Source: https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/nine_mile_point_nuclear_plant_faces_financial_peril_exelon_exec_says.html

Criticism of the plants

Opponents accuse the aging plants of relying on government subsidies to stay open. The New York Public Service Commission enabled the plants to access even more funding. The two plants were granted a $7.5 billion-dollar bailout in 2016, and continue to face criticism for it.  The bailout will be funded by a monthly surcharge on New Yorker's electric bills for 12 years, at around $1.85 per month. Subsidies are the main reason why nuclear power is affordable to most residents. A new lawsuit threatens to take away that subsidy for nuclear power in the region.

Natural gas is one of the main alternatives to nuclear. It is a plentiful resource and is relatively cheap. The gas is still a fossil fuel product and causes carbon emissions. Advocates encourage it as a safer option than keeping radioactive facilities online and close to communities. 57% of current power capacity is made up of natural gas in New York State. Proponents believe that Nuclear cannot compete with the cheap and plentiful supply of gas.

References:

1.Nine Mile Point (2018) Exelon Corporation. http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/power-plants/nine-mile-point
2. Willis, S and Carver, A (2018) New Evidence Might Bolster Case Against Massive NY Bailout of Nuclear Power Plants. WAER
http://www.waer.org/post/new-evidence-might-bolster-case-against-massive-ny-bailout-nuclear-power-plants
3. Conca, J (2016) Exelon Buys Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant, Setting The Standard for U.S. Carbon Goals. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2016/08/11/exelon-buys-fitzpatrick-nuclear-plant-setting-the-standard-for-us-carbon-goals/#7f14ff5770e0
4. LeBrun, Fred. (2017) Nuke fee for Cuomo not climate. Times Union. https://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-opinion/article/Cuomo-s-nuclear-bailout-a-bad-deal-for-state-10625370.php