The uncertainty surrounding the federal relicensing of Indian Point means New York must be ready with substitute power by the summer of 2016 to meet grid reliability standards.
That's why advance planning, recommended in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Energy Highway Blueprint, is under way at the New York Power Authority and Consolidated Edison at the direction of the Public Service Commission. The Indian Point Contingency Plan is essential to ensuring New Yorkers have safe, reliable and sufficient supplies of electricity.
Yet Gavin Donohue, president and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York, in an April 11 commentary ("Power plan off the grid," April 12), would have New York do nothing for now. This would jeopardize the state's obligation to plan ahead and keep the lights on.
Last-minute, emergency actions to replace Indian Point would result in companies, like those represented by the Independent Power Producers, rushing in to build power plants in a costly, accelerated manner.
Mr. Donohue misleadingly states that all New York ratepayers will pay for the costs of projects selected. No decisions have been made. The PSC will review the matter as part of a public process to achieve economic and equitable results.
In effect, the Indian Point Contingency Plan is an insurance policy to prudently prepare for the best combination of power solutions, in the potential event of the plant's closing.
Failure to plan would be a dereliction of responsible public policy.
Gil C. Quiniones
President and CEO, New York Power Authority and co-chairman, New York Energy Highway Task Force White Plains
