Gov. Andrew Cuomo's task force planning for the future of communities surrounding the Indian Point power plant met for the first time Wednesday.

The goal is to help impacted communities recover from the loss of a large economic driver in the area.

In January, officials announced that the Buchanan-based nuclear power plant will close by 2021.

The Town of Cortlandt alone could lose about $900,000 in revenue, according to Supervisor Linda Puglisi, who is on the task force.

Other issues include job losses, the disposal of nuclear fuel and the environmental impact, Puglisi says. 

"We have to work together. The state government, the local governments, the union representatives have to work together to identify strategies to mitigate the potential impacts associated with closing the plant," says Task Force Chairman and Department of Public Service Executive Deputy Tom Congdon,

The task force will gather for public meetings every quarter in Cortlandt. Concerned residents can also submit questions to the task force by email.

One issue raised at the initial meeting came from business owners.

"The business community is not represented," says Rob DiFrancesco. "We have ratepayers that are represented. We have labor unions that are represented. That's terrific. But we are also saying that the business community ought to have a voice."