After 45 years of operation, Unit 2 at Indian Point will finally shut down Thursday - essentially bringing the Buchanan-based nuclear power plant's energy production down by half.

Entergy spokesperson Jerri Nappi says no one is being laid off because of the pandemic.

"The company made that commitment to employees because the shutdown was through no fault of their own," he said.

Nappi says while a few dozen workers have chosen to retire early or relocate, about 800 current Indian Point employees will be kept on until full closure of the power plant next spring.

Tom Carey, president of Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body, which represents a few hundred Indian Point workers, says the company is going to be hard-pressed not to lay off people due to the pandemic.

Carey says he's not only worried about jobs, but also the energy supply - as Indian Point supplies 25% of the energy powering Westchester and New York City.

"I feel we need more energy right now because of all the different hospitals, we got pop-up hospitals like Westchester County Center," says Carey.

Nappi says it's impossible to continue running Unit 2 because there is no more fuel left in the tank.

Entergy is offering every employee within the company a job if they are willing to relocate.

Once the power plant closes down next year, the remaining workforce will be reduced by half.

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