An Op-Ed by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. As published in the NY Daily News
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently visited the site of the former Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester County. His delegation came to see firsthand what New York Democrats left behind when they shut down one of the most reliable power plants in the Northeast.
It was a clear message from the Trump administration: America’s energy future should be built on reliability and affordability, not political ideology.
For decades, Indian Point operated 24/7 and supplied roughly 2,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity around the clock — through heat waves, blizzards, and everything in between. It provided about a quarter of the power used by New York City alone and is exactly the kind of reliable baseload power every modern grid depends on.
Albany politicians spent years campaigning to close it anyway. The shutdown was finalized under Gov. Hochul after a deal brokered by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo forced the plant into early retirement. Activists celebrated. Ratepayers were left with the bill.
But this was never just about one nuclear plant. It reflects a broader campaign against reliable, traditional energy sources. New York City has already banned gas stoves and furnaces in new buildings, and Albany is moving to copy California’s approach by requiring zero-emission vehicles for future car, pickup, and SUV sales. Taken together, these policies amount to a sweeping energy transition imposed from the top down — without a clear plan to maintain reliability or keep costs affordable.
When Indian Point went offline in 2021, the electricity demand it supplied did not disappear. New York still needed the same amount of power. Instead of replacing it with another dependable source, the state turned to increased electricity imports from neighboring states and greater reliance on wind and solar generation. Those technologies have a role to play in a balanced energy mix, but they cannot replace baseload power on their own.
Wind turbines only generate electricity when the wind blows. Solar panels only produce power when the sun is shining. On a hot July night or during a February cold snap, that simply is not enough.
Working families on Staten Island are already feeling the consequences. They face high housing costs, rising grocery bills, and increasing transportation costs. Now they are also being asked to absorb an energy transition that policymakers promised would be painless. Meanwhile, businesses and residents continue to leave New York for states with cheaper and more reliable power.
Wright has called for reopening Indian Point, and I strongly support that effort. The site still exists, and the need for power is only increasing — driven by data centers, electric vehicles, and the demands of a modern economy. Restarting the plant would not require building entirely new transmission infrastructure; it would mean revisiting a political decision that should never have been made in the first place.
Across the country, states working with the Trump administration on energy policy are investing in modern infrastructure, expanding reliable generation, and keeping costs affordable for families. New York has taken a different approach, and ordinary New Yorkers are paying the price every month through their utility bills.
The path ahead is clear. Restore balance to the energy mix. Embrace dependable baseload generation. Work with federal partners committed to grid security. Keep affordability at the center of every energy decision.
If families can’t afford to keep the lights on, the policy has failed. Albany’s current approach fits that description. It’s time to change course.