It's a rare moment when a state government or a local community has the power to shut down a nuclear reactor. Usually, that right is reserved for the federal government's Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). But in the case of Ginna (pronounced Guh-Nay) nuclear reactor, 20 miles east of Rochester, New Yorkers have the chance to force a nuclear closure.
Ginna is the fourth oldest nuclear reactor in the U.S., and it may be the country’s next nuclear reactor to close. Ginna’s operator, Exelon Corp., announced in July, 2014, that the plant lost $100 million through 2012 and 2013. Exelon has said it may close Ginna unless it receives a bailout from customers of the local utility, Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E).
The price of the bailout is unknown at this point, but a recent quote from an Exelon official cited a figure that could cause RG&E customer rates to nearly double! Such an amount would be an unprecedented subsidy from ratepayers.
In spite of the havoc that such an enormous rate-hike could cause for the Rochester-area economy, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) directed RG&E to negotiate a bailout contract with Exelon to keep the plant open.
Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) has been working tirelessly to alert and mobilize the public. It hired an organizer in the Rochester area to educate local community organizations, coordinate public forums, and reach out to local media and elected officials. AGREE staff have made trips to Albany and Rochester for public events, organizing meetings, and meetings with officials and allies. They have put together numerous fact-sheets and research materials as well as a briefing video on the situation, all of which are on AGREE’s website, www.alliance foragreeneconomy.org. The group has helped almost 400 people submit comments to the Public Service Commission opposing the Ginna bailout.
The PSC has the power to delay approval of the contract and to impose conditions on it. This may be the state’s only opportunity to negotiate crucial issues related to Ginna’s operation and closure. AGREE has identified four demands:
- The PSC should delay approval of any contract between RG&E and Ginna until an independent review of area electricity needs is commissioned and renewable energy and energy efficiency alternatives are thoroughly explored.
- Any contract for reliability reasons should be very short and should include a guarantee that Ginna will close. RG&E should bear the costs of any subsidy rather than ratepayers because of the company’s poor planning and inability to prepare for Ginna’s closure, which has been predicted for two years by financial analysts.
- The PSC should negotiate with Exelon for a responsible decommissioning plan, including a definitive closing date, a full site cleanup, retention of as much of the workforce as possible, and a community development fund to offset short-term job and property tax losses.
AGREE is the lead organization working on this issue, with support from Atlantic Chapter members and other groups.
“Without a subsidy, there is an opportunity to close Ginna,” said Linda DeStefano, a member of AGREE and an activist in the Chapter’s Iroquois Group. “Please contact the PSC as soon as possible. You can learn more and sign a letter to the PSC by going to www.allianceforagreeneconomy.org.”