New York Senate Republicans are offering a budget proposal that includes $100 million for Oswego County's James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant.
The money would provide the immediate support the plant needs to pay for the costs to refuel, a lengthy and expensive process that has to take place this year. The ultimate goal is to keep Fitzpatrick open until 2017, when lucrative tax credits from the state could become available. Entergy previously said it could not afford to wait that long, which is why state Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Oswegatchie) said this budget offers short-term financial aid.
"They had concerns that given what has been proposed it would not possibly be in place in time to help with the loss they are experiencing at the facility," Ritchie said. "This is a way to send a message to Entergy that we are serious about it."
Entergy is planning to close the facility next January because it says Fitzpatrick is losing $60 million annually. Since the decision to close the plant was announced last fall, lawmakers have been working to find a quick financial fix. If approved, the $100 million could be available as soon as April 1. But, lawmakers in Albany are just at the start of the budget process and the proposal could be removed or changed.
