Clergy and community leaders gathered at Sylvia’s Restaurant Wednesday to discuss energy and environmental issues and the need for nuclear-powered electric generation to play a role in combating climate change, improving air quality and ensuring electric system reliability for New York City.
Discussion participants heard from me, Frank Fraley, the president of Safe, Healthy, Affordable and Reliable Energy, a coalition of business and community organizations, individual leaders and clergy. SHARE New York is raising awareness among New Yorkers to help ensure a reliable supply of clean and affordable electricity.
I appealed to attendees to “join the conversation on energy and our environment,” so we can influence policymakers to make favorable decisions on our energy needs and on plans for addressing them.
Why get involved?
High electricity prices have placed an undue economic burden on New York families and businesses, while poor air quality has led to high asthma rates that place our most vulnerable, the young and elderly, at risk.
Currently, 20 percent of our nation’s electric power comes from nuclear energy; in New York State it’s approximately 30 percent.
Emission-free Indian Point, located in Westchester County, provides 25 percent of New York City’s and Westchester County’s electricity, using clean, nuclear power. New York State cannot reach its carbon-reduction goals or improve air quality without nuclear power, particularly Indian Point, which in 2015 generated more electricity than any other power plant in the state.
The current rate of respiratory illnesses in our communities is epidemic. We don’t need more pollution; we need less. We don’t want to shut down our nuclear plants; we want to make sure they continue operating.
Many environmentalists, policy makers and elected officials, including President Obama, are strong supporters of nuclear power, as it is our best hope to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.
Let’s join our president and support continued operation of our safely run nuclear power plants.
Sincerely, Frank Fraley
President, SHARE (Safe Healthy, Affordable, Reliable Energy)