Nuclear in NYS
In the 1950's and 1960's, the population was steadily increasing in New York and the demand for inexpensive and readily available electricity was rising. During this time the US had entered the Vietnam War. To ensure energy security while safeguarding petroleum for military needs, nuclear power plants became a favorable option. In the 60's and 70's there was not as much knowledge about the effects of nuclear leaks on the environment as well as the surrounding human population. This, coupled with the appeal of an emerging technology, made the financial investment for these plants attractive.
However, after the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, nuclear became a much less attractive power source. The timeline of nuclear installations and closures in NY reflect the changing tides of popular option towards nuclear. After a certain point, new nuclear plants were not an option.
Timeline of New York's 5 Nuclear Plants
James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant: Oswego, NY
Commissioned in 1975 and located on a shared 900-acre lot on Lake Ontario with Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. It has a rated capacity of 838 MW.
Indian Point Energy Center: Buchanan, NY
Unit One was commissioned in 1962 and was 274 MW. In 1974 the unit was decommissioned in because the cooling system did not meet regulations.
Unit Two was commissioned in 1974 and is 1,032 MW. Unit Three was commissioned in 1976 and is 1,051 MW.
Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant: Long Island, NY
It was built between 1973 and 1981 by Long Island Lighting Company, and cost $6 billion. The plant was to built to provide a "solution for a power-hungry Island," due to population growth.
Because of the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island disasters and a lack of community support, the plant never passed the low-power testing phase.
Surrounding communities refused to agree to evacuation plans, ensuring that the plant would never open. On June 3rd, 1979, there was a protest of approximately 15,000 people making it clear to NYS government that the power plant was not wanted.
The failed plant produced $6 billion in debt and had to be bailed out by the consumers. After LIPA took over LILCO, there was still $1 billion in debt.
Where We Are Now
In 2018, nuclear now accounts for 33% of our electricity generation in New York, the number two source behind natural gas.
However, when Indian Point shutters in 2021, this number will slide down even further behind natural gas.
In the past New York was very pro-nuclear because power was needed to keep up with growing population. But due to environmental and economic concerns, sentiments have shifted. New Yorkers are worried about the chance of nuclear plants failing and contaminating their water, and frustrated that they are fronting the bill for nuclear bailouts and stalled projects. Notably, in the 1980's, while the Shoreham plant project was cancelled after completion, the 2nd reactor of Nine Mile Point was still installed. We still rely heavily on nuclear for electricity across the state, but the downstate plants have historically been given more scrutiny for safety concerns than upstate plants.
References:
https://www.paysa.com/salaries/constellation-energy-nine-mile-point-nuclear-station--syracuse,-ny--cl
https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/nine_mile_point_nuclear_plant_faces_financial_peril_exelon_exec_says.html
http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/power-plants/nine-mile-point https://www.eia.gov/nuclear/state/archive/2010/newyork/
http://www.exeloncorp.com/newsroom/fitzpatrick-joins-exelon-generation-nuclear-fleet
https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/fitz.html
https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/ginn.html
http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/power-plants/r-e-ginna
http://www.wamc.org/post/tritium-levels-spike-groundwater-tests-indian-point https://www.nei.org/CorporateSite/media/filefolder/resources/reports-and-briefs/economic-impacts-ginna-nuclear-plant-201502.pdf
https://www.elp.com/articles/2016/08/new-york-iso-doesn-t-need-ginna-nuclear-plant-beyond-march-2017.html
http://www.safesecurevital.com/community_planning/economic-impact.html
http://www.safesecurevital.com/pdf/Economic_Impacts.pdf
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/history/generating-controversy-the-shoreham-nuclear-power-plant-1.13702920
However, after the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, nuclear became a much less attractive power source. The timeline of nuclear installations and closures in NY reflect the changing tides of popular option towards nuclear. After a certain point, new nuclear plants were not an option.
Timeline of New York's 5 Nuclear Plants
 |
| Source: Syracuse.com |
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station: Oswego, NY
Unit One was put online in 1969 with a capacity of 609 MW. It is one of the two oldest reactors still in service in the US. Unit Two was put online in 1988 and has a rated capacity of 1,148 MW.
 |
Source: nrc.gov
|
James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant: Oswego, NY
Commissioned in 1975 and located on a shared 900-acre lot on Lake Ontario with Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. It has a rated capacity of 838 MW.
 |
| Source: eip.com |
R.E. Ginna Nuclear Powerplant: Ontario, NY
Construction started in 1966 and ended in 1970. It has capacity of 576 MW.
 |
| Source: newyorkpost.com |
Unit One was commissioned in 1962 and was 274 MW. In 1974 the unit was decommissioned in because the cooling system did not meet regulations.
Unit Two was commissioned in 1974 and is 1,032 MW. Unit Three was commissioned in 1976 and is 1,051 MW.
 |
| Source: newsday.com |
It was built between 1973 and 1981 by Long Island Lighting Company, and cost $6 billion. The plant was to built to provide a "solution for a power-hungry Island," due to population growth.
Because of the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island disasters and a lack of community support, the plant never passed the low-power testing phase.
Surrounding communities refused to agree to evacuation plans, ensuring that the plant would never open. On June 3rd, 1979, there was a protest of approximately 15,000 people making it clear to NYS government that the power plant was not wanted.
The failed plant produced $6 billion in debt and had to be bailed out by the consumers. After LIPA took over LILCO, there was still $1 billion in debt.
Where We Are Now
In 2018, nuclear now accounts for 33% of our electricity generation in New York, the number two source behind natural gas.
However, when Indian Point shutters in 2021, this number will slide down even further behind natural gas.
In the past New York was very pro-nuclear because power was needed to keep up with growing population. But due to environmental and economic concerns, sentiments have shifted. New Yorkers are worried about the chance of nuclear plants failing and contaminating their water, and frustrated that they are fronting the bill for nuclear bailouts and stalled projects. Notably, in the 1980's, while the Shoreham plant project was cancelled after completion, the 2nd reactor of Nine Mile Point was still installed. We still rely heavily on nuclear for electricity across the state, but the downstate plants have historically been given more scrutiny for safety concerns than upstate plants.
https://www.paysa.com/salaries/constellation-energy-nine-mile-point-nuclear-station--syracuse,-ny--cl
https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/nine_mile_point_nuclear_plant_faces_financial_peril_exelon_exec_says.html
http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/power-plants/nine-mile-point https://www.eia.gov/nuclear/state/archive/2010/newyork/
http://www.exeloncorp.com/newsroom/fitzpatrick-joins-exelon-generation-nuclear-fleet
https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/fitz.html
https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/ginn.html
http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/power-plants/r-e-ginna
http://www.wamc.org/post/tritium-levels-spike-groundwater-tests-indian-point https://www.nei.org/CorporateSite/media/filefolder/resources/reports-and-briefs/economic-impacts-ginna-nuclear-plant-201502.pdf
https://www.elp.com/articles/2016/08/new-york-iso-doesn-t-need-ginna-nuclear-plant-beyond-march-2017.html
http://www.safesecurevital.com/community_planning/economic-impact.html
http://www.safesecurevital.com/pdf/Economic_Impacts.pdf
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/history/generating-controversy-the-shoreham-nuclear-power-plant-1.13702920
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