Rebuilding Indian Point: Why it Matters and Why Now

​New York is grappling with rapidly rising energy demand, increasing electricity prices, growing dependence on natural gas, transmission bottlenecks, and aging infrastructure. These pressures are creating mounting reliability risks. New York’s Independent System Operator warns that the grid will fail to meet reliability targets in New York City by 2026, on Long Island by 2027, and in the Hudson Valley by 2030 unless key projects are completed on schedule.

​As reliability concerns grow, nuclear energy is regaining attention. Federal incentives and Governor Hochul’s support for nuclear development in the state have revived discussion around the future of Indian Point — downstate New York’s only nuclear plant, which was prematurely closed in 2021. Early analysis from the site owner, Holtec, estimates that a rebuild could cost roughly $10 billion and take 4–6 years.

​Stand Up for Nuclear is hosting a virtual session exploring:

• ​Downstate New York’s reliability challenges, future electricity demand, and transmission constraints

• ​The current condition of Downstate energy-generating facilities

• ​Indian Point’s historic contributions to Westchester and the Hudson Valley's reliability, economy, labor force, and communities, and the impacts after its closure

• ​Federal and state signals that have reignited interest in an Indian Point restart

• ​The feasibility, cost, and potential operational value of a possible rebuild

• ​Labor needs, challenges, and opportunities associated with bringing the plant back online

​Moderator
Alexander C. Kaufman — Author of Field Notes Newsletter

​Panelists

• ​Vivek Srikrishnan — Associate Professor, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University

• ​Richard Nasca — Senior Agent, Utility Workers Union of America, Local 1-2

• ​Paris Ortiz-Wines — Global Director, Stand Up for Nuclear