The Closure of Indian Point and its Impact on the Hendrick Hudson School District
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On January 9, 2017, the Hendrick Hudson School District learned that Entergy, owner of the Indian Point nuclear facility, located within the district’s boundaries, was planning to shut down by 2021.
This closure will directly affect our district’s financial future. Indian Point has been a reliable business partner for decades, and Entergy’s payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) have been a source of stabilized revenue – revenue that was slated to continue until 2025. Until April 30, 2020, these PILOT payments comprised approximately 30% of the district’s entire revenue and helped keep residents’ property taxes among the lowest in Westchester County.
In 2025, the final year of the currently negotiated PILOT, the district would have received just shy of $27 million. Due to the shutdown, we will now receive just $1.3 million.
Since the announcement of the closure, we have wasted no time addressing the impending revenue shortfall and determining how we will continue to provide a world-class education to students. There are a lot of moving parts to this situation, and we have created this page to serve as a repository for communication regarding the closure as we move through this process together. Here, you will find press releases, videos and podcasts, as well as general information about how nuclear facility closures affect their local communities.
Thanks to vigorous advocacy and community engagement, over the next eight years the district will receive over $63 million in cessation funds to offset the PILOT reduction (click here to learn more about the NYS cessation fund) and help minimize tax spikes. Moreover, the district has assisted in drafting state and federal legislation to create additional revenue to the district, to offset future tax increases. Our voices have been heard in Albany and Washington, D.C.
There is a clear need for up-to-date, accurate information about the Indian Point closure – both the impact on our schools and community and the many ways in which the district is responding. In addition to regular updates on this page, we will continue to post pertinent information in our website's news feed and on our social media platforms. We hope you will check back frequently to stay informed and involved!
Related Files
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Power Reactor Decommissioning Program - U.S. NRC Presentation
Presentation by Bruce Watson from the NRC at the October 19, 2017 meeting of the Cortlandt Community Unity Indian Point Task Force Meeting.
OCT 19 2017 Watson Decommissioning Overview Indian Point G2G Rev 0.pdf 1.08 MB (Last Modified on October 23, 2017) -
Statement from Congresswoman Nita Lowey
Congresswoman Nita Lowey sent the attached statement to be shared at the October 19, 2017 Cortlandt Community Unity Indian Point Task Force Meeting.
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"Closure of Nuclear Power Plant Imperils Finances of School District"
The Hendrick Hudson School District was featured in the October 2017 New York State School Boards Association publication, "On Board." The article highlights the key issues facing the district as Entergy prepares to shut down Indian Point, as well as some of the steps the district is taking in response.
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Town of Cortlandt Public Forum on Indian Point - Press Release/Announcement, January 24, 2017
Press Release 1 2017 Public Forum IP and attendees.pdf 334.94 KB (Last Modified on January 24, 2017)
BOE Meeting - Indian Point Update, 10-23-19
BOE Meeting - Indian Point Update, 05-08-19
Lessons Learned from Closed Nuclear Plants
Related Links
- State Funding to Help District Replace Indian Point Revenue - 02/24/21
- "Life after Indian Point" Westchester Magazine article, 11/2019
- Superintendent Shares District’s Perspective Regarding IP with County Board of Legislators, 8/7/18
- Superintendent's Interview with Local Realtor Don Dwyer on Market Trends - 2/2/18
- Superintendent's Indian Point Update 1/26/18
- WNYC: The Bill for Closing Indian Point Is Being Sent to the Communities Surrounding It 1/25/18
- Northern Westchester Examiner: "Offsetting Loss of IP Revenue Still Challenge One Year Later"1/17/18
- LoHud Editorial: Feds, Cuomo Need to Stand by Indian Point Communities, 12/28/17
- Indian Point Forum on Economic Impact of Closure, 11/3/17
- Superintendent, Local Leaders Meet with Journal News Editorial Board to Discuss Indian Point-7/13/17
- Public Hearing on Indian Point, March 2, 2017
- Town of Cortlandt Public Forum on Indian Point, January 26, 2017
- Journal News Editorial and Video from Editorial Board Meeting, January 20, 2017
- "Local Officials 'Shocked, Surprised' at Indian Point News," Journal News, January 18, 2017
- “Closing Indian Point is Easy – What Happens Next Won’t Be,” Village Voice, January 13, 2017
- "Indian Point Closure Plan Has Local Officials Worried About Tax Revenues," Journal News, 1.12.17
- Journal News Editorial: "Indian Point Closure is Coming, But What Next?" January 12, 2017
- Superintendent and Town Supervisor Radio Interview on Indian Point January 12, 2017