Protesters staged a rally in Mineola Thursday over Gov. Andrew Cuomo's nuclear bailout plan that would require Long Island residents to pay more for power.

Gov. Cuomo's nearly $8 billion plan would subsidize aging nuclear plants upstate.

To pay for it, consumers would be required to pay an additional charge on their electric bills.

"We don't think New York State should be continuing to fund billions of dollars to prop up 20th century energy technology," said one protester. "Instead, they should be spending money to invest in 21st century technology, such as solar and wind."

Proponents of the plan say it is part of an overall effort to increase the use of carbon-free energy.