O’Brien: Don't pass Indian Point costs onto upstate taxpayers

Rochester, NY - Senator O'Brien today wrote to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing efforts by Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) to charge Upstate taxpayers at least $200 million to subsidize potential changes to the Indian Point Energy Center, located in Westchester County.

“Upstate taxpayers should not bear the cost of subsidizing projects that will solely benefit downstate utility customers,” Senator O'Brien said. “This proposal by downstate power companies to increase energy costs for small businesses and homeowners to subsidize downstate ratepayers will hamper economic growth and unfairly tax upstate residents. To call this anything but a new tax would be dishonest.”

In response to a Public Service Commission (PSC) directive, Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) jointly submitted a contingency plan to replace the power provided by Indian Point, should the facility have to close. The plan calls for the development of three transmission lines and additional programs to accomplish this. Early estimates show that the plan would cost New York ratepayers a minimum of $811 million, with at least $200 million paid by Upstate taxpayers who derive no benefit from the downstate facility. A copy of Senator O’Brien’s letter is linked below.

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The full text of Senator O'Brien's letter to the PSC

Sen. O’Brien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of Monroe County and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester.

Media contact:

Thomas J. Morrisey
Communications Director
office:   (585) 223-1800
e-mail:  tjmorris@nysenate.gov