2 Aug (NucNet): A “visionary” clean energy standard which recognises the role nuclear stations play as carbon-free sources of power establishes an important state policy precedent for efforts to achieve significant carbon reductions from all clean energy sources while maintaining a healthy economy, the US nuclear energy industry has said. The Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute said New York’s first Clean Energy Standard, approved on 1 August 2016 by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), “blazes a vitally important public policy path”. The NEI said: “It establishes an important state policy precedent for efforts to achieve significant carbon reductions from all clean energy sources while maintaining a healthy economy.” The standard correctly acknowledges nuclear power plants as indispensable sources of emissions-free power, meriting explicit valuation by the state as a clean energy source, the NEI said According to the PSC, starting in April 2017, the Clean Energy Standard requires New York utilities and other energy suppliers to pay for the intrinsic value of carbon-free emissions from nuclear power stations by purchasing zero-emission credits. The PSC said this will allow financially-struggling upstate nuclear power stations to remain in operation during New York’s transition to a target of 50 percent renewables by 2030. The PSC said: “A growing number of climate scientists have warned that if these nuclear plants were to abruptly close, carbon emissions in New York will increase by more than 31m tonnes during the next two years, resulting in public health and other societal costs of at least $1.4bn (€1.2bn).” Marvin Fertel, NEI president and chief executive officer said other states should strongly consider emulating New York’s new energy standard. “This programme provides enormous cost savings to New York’s consumers. The PSC estimates that the benefits of retaining the state’s nuclear plants in the first two years of the programme, valued at $5bn, dramatically outweigh the estimated costs of less than $1bn. Mr Fertel said New York’s six reactors produce nearly 60 percent of the state’s carbon-free electricity. He said reactors elsewhere in the country are under financial stress because their attributes are not fully valued while at the same time natural gas prices are at historic lows and renewable energy sources are subsidised via tax credits and mandated additions of wind and solar capacity. Details online: http://on.ny.gov/2acQuYg
