Statement: An honest Indian Point analysis will show the plant is dangerous and must be shut down

The regulatory agency admits it used bad data to assess the costs of a severe accident, in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act

For immediate release: May 5, 2016
Contact: Cliff Weathers, Communications Director
914-478-4501, ext. 239; [email protected]

Buchanan, N.Y. — In an unexpected decision, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled yesterday that its analysis of the costs of a severe accident at Indian Point was misleading, used erroneous data and was in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. The NRC’s unanimous decision means that another analysis will need to be conducted.

The decision is a victory for New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, who had argued that NRC staff systematically undercounted the cost and impact of a serious nuclear accident at Indian Point. Schneiderman’s office argued that an environmental report filed by Entergy, Indian Point’s operator, inaccurately modeled the cleanup and decontamination of a major accident, particularly as it would affect New York City.

Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay issued a statement today regarding the NRC’s announcement:

“This decision will force a more honest assessment of the damage an accident at Indian Point would cause,” said Gallay. “A rigorous analysis should show that all this talk about Indian Point being safe, secure and vital is just bunk.”

“Indian Point has had seven unplanned shutdowns in just a year, coupled with a huge spike in radioactive groundwater contamination and a never-before-seen level of failed bolts in the core of the Unit 2 Reactor. Together, these events prove that the continued operation of the two reactors at Indian Point puts the safety of New York City area at great risk every day,” Gallay said. “At the same time, a huge increase in the availability of replacement power in the past several years, along with improvements in energy efficiency, mean that Indian Point’s power is no longer needed to keep the lights on, even on the hottest summer day.”