Analyst: Tighter emissions goals won’t save N.Y. nuclear industry

[bananas]

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/09/8577897/analyst-tighter-emissions-goals-wont-save-ny-nuclear-industry

Analyst: Tighter emissions goals won’t save N.Y. nuclear industry

By Scott Waldman 5:41 p.m. | Sep. 25, 2015
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ALBANY — Market analysts are warning investors about New York’s nuclear plant operators as two such facilities face possible closure.

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The New York plant closures have come despite the fact that the state participates in the market-based Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the carbon cap-and-trade program that charges for air pollution. That makes turnaround in the nuclear industry seem unrealistic, according to the analysis.

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Under new federal rules, New York must reduce air pollution emissions from power plants by about 19 percent by 2030. The state expects to meet that target ahead of time because of the Cuomo administration’s energy plan, which seeks to double the amount of renewables on the power grid to about 50 percent.

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“If retirements move forward as contemplated, we see a real corresponding uplift to the renewable industry as this becomes the growing source of 'plugging' for any further holes in meeting prospective carbon targets,” he wrote.

This is good news. These dangerous old reactors should be shut down as soon as possible.