Rochester Residents Urge Public Service Commission to Reject Consumer Subsidy for Ginna Nuclear Reactor

Residents of the Rochester area are strongly opposing the proposed consumer subsidy for the Ginna nuclear power reactor, owned by Exelon, citing concerns over the unnecessary prolongation of the reactor's life. The subsidy, estimated to cost $175 million to Rochester-area consumers, will not only increase electricity prices but also delay the transition to cleaner and more affordable alternatives. The Rochester area, which has the highest rate of extreme poverty among comparably sized cities in the United States, cannot afford this rate-hike.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed consumer subsidy for the Ginna nuclear reactor will cost Rochester-area consumers an estimated $175 million.
• The subsidy will unnecessarily prolong the life of the Ginna reactor, which is one of the oldest in the US.
• The Rochester area has the highest rate of extreme poverty among comparably sized cities in the US and cannot afford the proposed rate-hike.
• The Public Service Commission is urged to honor its mission of ensuring safe, reliable service at just, reasonable rates by voiding the proposed bailout.
• The Commission should hold Rochester Gas and Electric accountable for its planning failures that led to this situation.
• The utility company should bear the costs of subsiding the Ginna reactor and be forbidden to pass them on to customers.
• The Public Service Commission should take the time needed to properly consider safer, cleaner, and more affordable alternatives and develop a transition plan.
• Ginna's immediate closure could hasten the development of energy efficiency, demand response, renewables, and storage industries that could provide good jobs for the Rochester area.
• The decommissioning fund for Ginna should be put to work immediately to isolate radioactivity at the site from humans and the local environment.

Statistics:

• $175 million: estimated cost of the proposed consumer subsidy for the Ginna nuclear reactor.
• 1: Pokorny is concerned that increasing electricity prices for residents will cause unjust hardship due to the high rate of extreme poverty in the Rochester area.
• 175 million: the cost of the proposed bailout to Rochester-area consumers over an unspecified period.
• 100%: the retroactive payment of costs with interest back to April 1st if the contract gets approved.
• 21st Century Grid: the vision for the grid that New York is working to build, based on efficiency, distributed generation, and responsive consumers.

Sources:

• Albany: New York State Department of Public Service
• [original source]