NIRS and AGREE submit extensive comments to New York Public Service Commission that show how New York can meet its 2030 carbon emissions goals without nuclear (and thus without nuclear subsidies).
NIRS and AGREE applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York Public Service Commission (“Commission”) for taking an important step to address the serious issue of catastrophic climate change. Though New York has been making some progress toward meeting its renewable energy goals, our state has lacked an enforceable Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring utilities to meet aggressive mandates for the purchase of renewable energy. Without these mandates, New York has made inconsistent and relatively slow progress in meeting its renewable energy aspirations, especially when compared to states that do have enforceable utility purchasing requirements for renewable energy.
NIRS and AGREE support the creation of a Clean Energy Standard, in general, but we are opposed to the inclusion of nuclear subsidies, as outlined in the White Paper authored by Department of Public Service Staff. Nuclear energy is not a clean energy source. The classification of nuclear power as “clean energy” would be a slap in the face to those–from the American Southwest to the Fukushima region of Japan–who have suffered and continue to suffer the health and environmental effects of radioactive waste and environmental contamination.