Write a commentToday, the Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition (UEJ), a group representing hundreds of business, education and labor leaders throughout upstate and central New York, released the following statement in response to recent criticisms to the Clean Energy Standard (CES).
Please see the statement below from L. Michael Treadwell, CEO of the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency and UEJ member:
“Opponents to the Clean Energy Standard (CES) could not be more wrong about upstate nuclear energy plants’ contributions to New York’s clean energy goals. The CES is a historic measure that puts upstate nuclear plants on the same playing field as other low carbon emitting power sources. In addition, upstate nuclear power plants, Ginna, Nine Mile Point and FitzPatrick, are critical economic engines to their communities. These plants support 25,000 jobs, pay $144 million in state and local taxes annually, and save New Yorkers $1.7 billion in electricity costs per year.
The opposition would like people to believe they are on the side of cost control and consumer protection, but they discount that studies have shown the benefits of the CES far outweigh the costs. What’s more, the particular use of the word “tax” by the opposition embraces the worst language in the climate change debate. Clean energy production is not a tax, but rather a smart investment to ensure we prevent the effects of climate change.
The CES has a chorus of support from environmentalists that understand the crucial benefits nuclear energy brings to our environment. President Obama has acknowledged nuclear energy’s contribution saying it is vital to our nation’s environmental goals. We cannot thank the Public Service Commission and Governor Andrew Cuomo enough for their hard work to preserve upstate nuclear plants for a cleaner future for New York.”
About Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition
Upstate Energy Jobs (UEJ) is a growing coalition of more than 130 upstate New York elected representatives, business leaders, members of organized labor, education institutions, economic development organizations and community leaders who are leading efforts to raise awareness among policymakers of the importance of keeping upstate New York’s nuclear energy plants open. For more information or to voice support for preserving the region’s economic and environmental security, go to upstateenergyjobs.com.
