We will remember Indian Point
Yesterday, I had the privilege of addressing generations of Indian Point workers on the final day of the plant’s operation.
“Over half a century ago, Indian Point lit America’s largest city for the first time. Building New York’s first nuclear power plant was an endeavor born of hope: hope for abundance, prosperity, and the freedoms those entail. And hope for honest work for good pay. In short, Indian Point was born of a hope for what we once called our shared and glimmering desire for the future: The American Dream.
We have come here today to honor Indian Point’s legacy. But we cannot do that. Not because what happened here is not worthy of honor: it was. And not because Indian Point failed to deliver the dream it promised. It did.
We cannot do what our duty demands of this place because the work that was done here to provide for generations of Americans the bounty they deserve has already honored it. Your work. Each and every one of you.
Your work gave New York steady light and cleaner air. It gave reliable power through bitter winters and sweltering summers. And it gave the most valuable gift of all: a prosperous and beautiful community where people can raise their families and live alongside each other in harmony.
Standing here, having just said this, and now looking at all of you I can’t help but ask why is this closure happening at all? Who stands to gain from wounding the community of Buchanan, from wounding New York state? Why would they do this?
Anyone who has been paying attention already knows: the environmental groups that tried to fight Indian Point’s construction in the first place and the politicians they control. They lied and people lost their jobs. Governor Cuomo and River Keeper lied to the public about environmental health and public safety concerns that everyone who worked at Indian Point knows do not exist. There is no reason to have closed Indian Point except for two: politics and money.
And it’s not only happening here. Diablo Canyon in California faces similar enemies and another complicit, at best, governor in Gavin Newsom. In my home state of Illinois, Byron and Dresden are scheduled to close before the end of the year despite being licensed to operate for decades longer.
Our job is to make sure this never happens to another worker, family, community, or state ever again. These plants are too important. They are the living embodiment of the American Dream and cathedrals of a prosperous, clean future.
As this fight continues, know that we will never forget. We will not forget what has been recklessly destroyed, nor will we forget the workers who gave us the gift of Indian Point in the first place. We will remember Indian Point.”
