By Ted Caddell

Entergy said last week it is sticking to its plan to close the FitzPatrick nuclear generating station, despite a rescue attempt by New York officials and an offer by Exelon to provide it fuel at cost.

Entergy announced last month that competition from low-cost natural gas generation will force it to retire the 838-MW plant in late 2016 or early 2017, when the plant would otherwise be shutting temporarily for refueling. (See Entergy Closing FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant in New York.)

Then came news that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the Public Service Commission to mandate that 50% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. Cuomo also called for incentives to keep the state’s nuclear plants operating until then. (See Cuomo: 50% Renewables by 2030, Keep Nukes Going.)

At the urging of Cuomo administration officials, Exelon agreed to acquire enough fuel for FitzPatrick and to give Entergy until next June to decide whether to use it based on the clean energy mandate. The PSC said that the proposed “fuel bridge” would allow Entergy to delay its decision without purchasing the $50 million worth of fuel now.

The offers weren’t enough to change Entergy’s mind.

“We have explored every legitimate commercial arrangement that might have changed the decision regarding Fitzpatrick’s retirement,” Entergy spokeswoman Tammy Holden told The Post-Standard. “There is no viable alternative left to consider. The plant will retire at the end of 2016 or early 2017, as we previously announced and have formally advised” the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.