New York's Proposed 'Clean Energy Standard' Includes Nuclear

Scott Waldman writes: "By adding a nuclear component to the Clean Energy Standard, the Cuomo administration has recognized nuclear plants as another essential tool in reducing air pollution, one worthy of state incentives."

Waldman expects the New York Public Service Commission to approve the Clean Energy Standard [pdf] in early August, in effect "[forcing] utilities to purchase power from nuclear plants through zero-emissions credits." According to Waldman, some estimates predict "[b]illions of dollars, perhaps more than $8 billion, will go to nuclear reactors…"

But the support for nuclear is only part of the story. Some of the same environmental groups that worked to close California's last nuclear reactor in recent weeks "told POLITICO New York on background that they could not oppose a plan that gave unprecedented support to clean energy." Unprecedented is right: "The deal means New York is among the first states to put a price on carbon, to enact a policy that recognizes the social cost of fossil fuels, such as their role in creating climate change."