Trump’s Energy Chief: ‘Foolish’ Nuclear Plant Closure Must Be Reversed In NY

Why was one of New York’s biggest power plants shut down in the first place? That’s the question Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised during a visit to the former Indian Point Energy Center on March 6, 2026. He called the closure a “foolish political decision” and said it needs to be reversed.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright calls Indian Point’s closure a foolish political decision and demands its reversal.

Wright visited the site in Buchanan, New York, alongside Rep. Mike Lawler. Indian Point once supplied roughly 25% of the region’s electricity. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo supported closing and decommissioning Indian Point. Entergy owned the plant until Holtec acquired it in 2021 to begin decommissioning. That process is still ongoing. The decommissioning negotiations had originally taken place in 2017 under Cuomo’s administration.

Wright said the closure happened because of politics, not sound energy policy. He argued the Northeast now faces the highest electricity prices in the country because of blocked infrastructure and nuclear shutdowns. He added that reopening the plant is needed to meet growing demand from data centers and semiconductor facilities. The Trump Administration, he said, prioritizes expanding reliable American energy. Policy should focus on people, jobs, and lower prices.

Lawler pointed out that New Yorkers pay nearly 60% more for electricity than the national average. He blamed nuclear shutdowns and blocked natural gas pipelines for driving prices up. He’s introduced the Economic Recovery for Nuclear-Affected Communities Act. The bill would provide relief to communities that lost jobs and tax revenue after plant closures. Lawler also noted that spent nuclear fuel stored onsite discourages new investment in those areas.

Lawler called for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. That includes nuclear power, renewables, and natural gas. He also pushed for approving critical infrastructure like gas pipelines.

Reopening closed nuclear plants is a top objective for the Trump Administration. However, major challenges remain. Restarting Indian Point would require significant financial and political support. Holtec has cited cost estimates of $8 billion to $10 billion for a potential restart. Holtec currently oversees the decommissioning, and no specifics on a restart plan have been offered yet. Grid reliability concerns continue to grow in the meantime.

The visit highlighted a broader push to reverse nuclear closures across the country. Both Wright and Lawler framed the issue as essential for lowering energy costs and strengthening the power grid for families and businesses.