Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)
DUNKIRK – A rally to show support for continuing the NRG Repowering project will help to show officials in Albany how important the project is to Chautauqua County and Western New York.
That’s according to Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY-23), who said he’s been following the NRG Repower process, along with the news earlier this year that a lawsuit has been filed by competitor Entergy Corporation (which operates Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in the Hudson Valley) in hopes of stopping the conversion from moving forward.
In response to the lawsuit, NRG announced in August that the Dunkirk plant will have all four units shutdown by the start of 2016, meaning the Repower project will have to put on hold. The NRG Repower Project involves converting the plant from being a coal-only power generating plant to a natural gas generating facility.
Earlier this month, State Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) announced that a rally would be taking place this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dunkirk Pier, with both state, county and local leaders coming out to show support for the Repower project.
Congressman Reed said that while he may not be able to attend the rally, he’s still providing help.
NRG Power Plant in Dunkirk
“We are working hand-in-hand with Senator Young as well as with different parties that are at the table,” Reed said during a conference call with regional reporters on Monday. “One of the issues that has developed is this lawsuit… so I think that bringing the governor into the equation is something that is critical going forward so we’ve been putting pressure on all the parties and telling local and state officials that we are here, we want to stand with them and I am confident that we’re going to have a successful outcome and NRG will go forward.”
The NRG Power Plant is the largest taxpayer in Chautauqua County and employs over 100 people, with 50 more jobs expected once the full conversion takes place.
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