Write a commentResolution Supporting the Continued Operation of the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Facility and Calling Upon State Elected Representatives to Act
WHEREAS, the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Facility is located in the Town of Scriba, Oswego County, State of New York and has been in continuous operation since its opening on July 28, 1975; and
WHEREAS, recently, the Entergy Corporation announced the possibility of closing JAF with such a decision occurring as early as December, 2015; and
WHEREAS, JAF employs approximately 600 people on a full-time regular basis and provides additional employment during outages and other unscheduled periods of time to well over 1,000 tradesman and support staff and as such infuses the local economy with millions of dollars of economic impact; and
WHEREAS, since its construction and opening and continuous operation the economic benefits to the region are well into the billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, with the potential closure of JAF looming the Board of Directors of Operation Oswego County, Inc. voices its strong desire to encourage the Company to continue operating JAF into the foreseeable future at least until its current operating license expires in the year 2035; and
WHEREAS, Operation Oswego County, Inc. also calls upon the State’s elected representatives to do everything in their power and authority to encourage and permit Entergy Corporation to continue operating the JAF facility; and
WHEREAS, such action by our State’s elected officials, including our State representatives, the Governor, our Congressmen, and our US State Senators should engage Entergy Corporation in meaningful dialogue and explore state and federal regulatory reforms that will ensure the economic feasibility of the nuclear industry, particularly in Upstate New York; and
WHEREAS, the loss of 600 jobs and the resulting negative economic impact of such a job loss would be staggering for the community and as much effort should be put into retaining these jobs as there is in attracting companies and industries that would have a similar economic benefit to that proven by the Entergy Corporation and JAF; and
WHEREAS, the State of New York will benefit from the continued carbon-free operation of JAF and the facility’s contribution to lowering the State’s carbon footprint, which is a stated goal of the State of New York’s Energy Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, upon motion duly made and seconded, it is and shall hereby be
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors for Operation Oswego County hereby encourages the Entergy Corporation to continue its operation of the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Facility located in Scriba, New York; and pledges to work with Entergy to find meaningful ways to encourage the continued operation of JAF; and it is further
RESOLVED, the Board of Directors for Operation Oswego County calls upon the State’s elected representatives to make the continued operation of JAF a top legislative priority and continuously engage the Company in meaningful discussions on ways in which the State of New York and the Federal Government can support the nuclear industry and better ensure that the Entergy Corporation will continue to operate JAF through the expiration of its current license in the year 2035; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors authorizes the President to send this Resolution to each of the region’s elected State and Federal representatives to ensure that Operation Oswego County’s position is well noted.
Motion having been put to a vote of the Board of Directors members present and constituting a quorum was adopted unanimously.
Dated: September 22, 2015
