Efforts to grow our state economy and protect our environment and public health would be enhanced, not hindered, by supporting the license renewal of Indian Point (“Powering Down, NY, ” Editorial, Aug. 4).

Indian Point produces zero carbon-dioxide emissions or other air pollutants and generates 2,000 megawatts of low-cost electricity – enough to power approximately 2 million average NY homes.

Closing Indian Point could raise our energy rates by as much as 40 percent, putting added pressure on businesses and residents that already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation.

What’s more, replacing Indian Point would require a minimum of four or five natural-gas plants, which would significantly increase air pollution and carbon-dioxide emissions.

New York’s near term energy crisis, skyrocketing electricity rates and air-quality concerns make clean and efficient power suppliers like Indian Point more important than ever.

Jerry Kremer

Chairman, New York

Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, Manhattan