Community rallies in support of FitzPatrick nuclear-power plant in Scriba

SCRIBA, N.Y. — More than 1,000 concerned employees, their families, community members, and area lawmakers gathered Monday evening to express support for keeping open the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant in Scriba.

New Orleans, Louisiana–based Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ELA) earlier this month announced that “the plant may not be refueled,” the office of U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus) said in a news release issued Monday evening.

Entergy Nuclear FitzPatrick, LLC is listed as the plant’s owner at the Entergy website.

“There is no question that the loss of FitzPatrick nuclear-energy plant would affect not only Oswego County, but our entire Central New York region,” Katko said in the release. “Tonight, we heard that message loud and clear from hundreds of FitzPatrick employees, their families, and community members. We’re here to support these individuals tonight … and in the future.”

FitzPatrick employs “hundreds” of men and women from across Central and Upstate New York, with salaries that average over $80,000, according to Katko’s office. With an additional 1,000 specialty jobs created at the plant during its biannual fueling, the technical positions support a “great number” of Oswego County families.

FitzPatrick also provides about of $18 million in property-tax revenue and makes thousands of dollars in charitable contributions annually to local community events and nonprofit organizations in the region, the release stated.

Keeping FitzPatrick open is “good for our area, our environment, and our economy,” New York State Assemblyman Will Barclay (R–Pulaski) said in the release.

“This clear showing of solidarity should send a message to Entergy, the governor, and other New York state policymakers that we need to do what we can to keep the plant in operation and encourage nuclear energy in New York state,” Barclay said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

PHOTO CAPTION: Employees, families, community members, and area lawmakers are concerned about the future of the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear-power plant in Scriba after its owner, New Orleans, Louisiana–based Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ELA), earlier this month announced that it may not refuel the plant. (PHOTO CREDIT: www.entergy.com)