Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

Due to Indian Point’s vulnerability to terrorism, a laundry list of safety problems, the storage of 1500 tons of radioactive waste onsite, and the lack of a workable evacuation plan, Riverkeeper has been working toward the permanent shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. In fall 2006 Riverkeeper launched its Reenergize New York initiative to encourage state leaders to invest in clean replacement power and to encourage New Yorkers to use energy more wisely. In addition, Riverkeeper is working with elected officials and the community to prevent a 20-year license extension for the Indian Point 2 & 3, currently licensed until 2013 and 2015, respectively. Despite all the problems and public opposition to the plant, Entergy, the owner/operator, submitted its relicensing application to the NRC on April 30, 2007.

• Riverkeeper's Key Contention to License Renewal

  In Riverkeeper’s petition to intervene, we argue that Entergy’s relicensing application is inadequate and should be rejected because it:

  1) Fails to assess the risks and potential environmental impacts of a terrorist attack or accident in the spent fuel pools that could result in a spent fuel fire and catastrophic release of radiation.

  Entergy also refuses to consider a simple mitigation measure, lowering the density of spent fuel in the fuel pools by moving old fuel to dry cask storage.

  2) Fails to accurately assess the environmental impacts of the spent fuel pool leaks of tritium, strontium-90 and cesium-137 on the groundwater and Hudson River ecosystem.

  3) Fails to accurately assess the adverse impacts of Indian Point’s cooling water intake system on Hudson River fisheries caused by entrainment, impingement and heat shock (thermal discharge).

  4) Fails to provide plans for managing the degradation of critical plant components caused by “metal fatigue” and “corrosion” that could compromise the safe operation of the plant if not properly inspected and repaired.

  5) Fails to conduct an accurate cost-benefit analysis of plant upgrades that could lower the risk of a “Severe Accident,” by deliberately underestimating the true costs in human life and property damage that would result if such an accident occurs.

  An accurate estimate of public health and economic impacts could change the cost-benefit analysis so that mitigation measures that were previously too expensive would now be cost-effective, and would prevent or lower the risk of some severe accidents.

• Relicensing Battle

  In Brief:

  Although a new power plant’s initial operating license depends on consideration of many factors, including population density around the plant and the assurance that evacuation plans can be effectively implemented in the case of a radiological emergency, the NRC’s review for relicensing does not examine these public safety issues.

  In fact, the license renewal process is limited, focusing on environmental effects, such as endangered species, the effects of cooling water systems on fish and ground water quality; and, physical plant safety, such as the long term maintenance of coolant system piping or steam generators, as well as motors, diesel generators, and batteries.
  Learn More

• Security and Safety

  In Brief:

  Despite ongoing safety problems at Indian Point, Entergy, its owner, is seeking a 20-year license extension for both reactors. On April 26th, 2007, former Governor Eliot Spitzer asked the NRC to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) at the Indian Point nuclear power plant. He received support from some of New York’s top Congressional delegates, who introduced legislation requiring an in-depth review of Indian Point’s vital safety and mechanical systems, spent fuel pools, and radiological emergency evacuation plans.
  Learn More

• Radioactive Waste and Pollution

  In Brief:

  Every exposure to radiation poses health risks, including programmed cell death, genetic mutations, cancers, leukemia, birth defects, and reproductive, immune and endocrine system disorders. While government regulations allow “permissible” levels of contamination, there are no safe levels of exposure. And yet, exposure occurs constantly, since radiation is released regularly from Indian Point in the form of liquid, gaseous, and solid radioactive wastes.
  Learn More

• Myths of Nuclear Energy

  In Brief:

  Despite advertisements depecting nuclear energy as a “clean energy source,” the life cycle of generating nuclear power – from mining to refining to transportation to storage – requires a tremendous amount of energy. And, while some tout nuclear energy as the solution to the global energy crisis, it actually accounts for only 2.5 percent of the world’s electricity needs.
  Learn More