LIPA and Shoreham Advisory Committee Reconvene to Explore Options for Defunct Shoreham Nuclear Site

New Web feature launched to encourage public comments

Shoreham, NY – Long Island Power Authority President and CEO Kevin S. Law reconvened the Shoreham Advisory Committee on Friday continuing to share ideas and suggestions for the future use and redevelopment of the nearly 60 acres of industrial-zoned land owned by LIPA surrounding and including the former Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.

"Maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with the members of our committee is key,” said Law. “I look forward to continue working with and receiving positive and productive input from our government, education, and civic leaders through this advisory committee as we explore the best way for this property to be utilized to benefit both the local community and the region.”

At the request of the committee, LIPA has announced its intention to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure a consultant to work with LIPA and the Advisory Committee to provide ideas and feedback on the redevelopment of the former nuclear plant site that was decommissioned in 1994 and what effect it may have on taxes, the environment and the quality of life for nearby residents.

LIPA has created a special section on its Web site illustrating the history of the nuclear power plant, providing information about the Advisory Committee and includes an interactive component allowing the general public to offer comments and suggestions on how the property should be redeveloped. That information is available at http://www.lipower.org/shoreham/.

“I support the constructive re-use of LIPA’s Shoreham property for a solar energy park and/or for a green research or manufacturing facility,” said Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine. Clearly, the emphasis in the years ahead needs to be on passive and alternative energy. I urge all my constituents who have ideas on how the LIPA property can be used to either go the LIPA’s Web page to post a comment or e-mail me at edward.romaine@suffolkcountyny.gov .”

“I would like to thank Kevin Law for including the local civic organizations as Advisory Committee members,” said Shoreham Civic President Kevin Ward. “The skeleton of the nuclear power plant is a constant reminder of a very expensive idea gone wrong. The Shoreham-Wading River residents are truly the most important ‘stakeholders’ and it is critical that we have an active voice in the process that determines any future utilization of the LIPA property.”

“The Shoreham-Wading River Central School District welcomes the opportunity to be part of the Shoreham Advisory Committee,” said Superintendent of Schools for the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District, Harriet Copel, Ed. D. “As we move forward, it is critical that we make wise decisions on how to utilize this property so we can help relieve the heavy tax burden that is suffocating so many hard-working families.”

“The Shoreham Advisory Task Force becomes a critical element to better understand the opportunities presented with regard to the LIPA property,” said Shoreham Village Mayor Wilbur Klatsky. “These acres should be studied carefully to secure the best results for the community at large.”

In 1965 the Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) announced plans to erect a 500MW nuclear power plant on Long Island but drew increasingly intense opposition after the 1979 Three Mile Island and the 1986 Chernobyl accidents, resulting in delays and cost increases. In 1983 Suffolk County legislators voted 15-1 on a resolution asserting that it was impossible to safely evacuate Suffolk in the event of a nuclear accident. In 1985, the federal government granted permission for LILCO to operate the facilities at test levels not to exceed 5% over the next two years, but in June 1989, following community protest, the facility was closed down and the nuclear energy used to fuel the power plants was removed. Three years later, the internal engines powering the facility were dismantled. The power plants were finally decommissioned in 1994.

Mr. Law formed the Shoreham Advisory Committee in April of 2008 to openly share and evaluate options that may exist for the future use and redevelopment of the 58 acres of LIPA-owned land which includes the 10-acre parcel upon which the plant’s shell sits.

The next committee meeting has been scheduled for February 2009.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2008, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

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Vanessa Baird-Streeter
Phone - (516) 719-9230
Cell - (516) 640-0168
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media.relations@lipower.org

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