Residents rally against reopening the Indian Point nuclear power plant
The plant was closed more than four years ago. It's currently undergoing decommissioning.
More Stories
Residents rallied in Cortlandt Manor on Thursday against the possibility of reopening the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan.
"We as locals, just need to say no," says Peekskill resident Erik Lindberg.
"I live about a mile from Indian Point and it's terrifying to me that we're having a conversation about adding more nuclear to the site," says Northern Westchester Mothers Out Front advocate Jess Monette.
"It's unfeasible rebuilding the plant. It's unfeasible for cost and the time it would take," says advocate and resident Suzannah Glidden.
The plant was closed more than four years ago. It's currently undergoing decommissioning.
But now, the company overseeing its decommissioning, Holtec International, has suggested that a start could be possible if both state and federal leaders support the idea.
"Indian Point is an important part of what's going on today with the demand for electricity," says president of Teamsters Local 456 Louis A. Picani.
Advocates in favor of it say more jobs could be created.
"We lost over 200 full-time jobs so that means families were impacted, neighborhoods were impacted," says Picani.
Holtec International estimates it would take $10 billion and four years to bring the 2,000-megawatt facility back online.
Now, a ruling by a federal judge has residents even more concerned. Holtec International can move forward with plans that could result in radioactive wastewater being discharged into the Hudson River. The judge said a state law designed to limit potential contamination of the river was pre-empted by federal law.
"We enjoy the river all the time. My son is there constantly. We play there every single day," says Monette.
A Holtec spokesperson says they will continue to decommission the Indian Point site in an environmentally responsible manner.
