Indian Point Power Plant, located in Buchanan, New York, has been a controvery issue in the state for some time now. With an explosion of one of the reactors last fall, Governor Cuomo wants it shut down. Within 25 miles of New York City, Indian Point provides about 15 % of clean electricity to the residents of New York.
Fear of what has happened in Japan and what could happen at Indian is real because the plant is just 23 miles North of the Bronx, which is most vulnerable to an earthquake because one of its reactors sits on a fault line. That is the main reason Governor Cuomo wants the reactor to be shut down.
Pro’s:
Provides clean and renewable energy
Affordable electricity to city and state payers
Source of jobs
Con’s:
Carbon emission (air pollution) in city and state will increase by 5-10%
Would create fuel burning plants
Drive up the sale of electricity at about $1.5 billion a year (city & state)
However nothing has happened yet to determine its closure. The licenses on Unit 2 expire in 2013, while Unit 3 license is set to expire in 2015. The Governor wants the power plant to shut down and it seems that he will do anything in his power to shut it down, so I guess we will just have to wait and see!
References:
http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Indian%20Point%20Nuclear%20Power%20Plant
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/07/report-closing-indian-point_n_892269.html
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-24/living/nuclear.plant.visit_1_nuclear-fuel-nuclear-power-plant-uranium-pellets?_s=PM:LIVING