New York governor blocks discharge of radioactive water into Hudson River from closed nuclear plant
A measure to block discharges of radioactive water into the Hudson River as part of the Indian Point nuclear plant’s decommissioning has been signed into law by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
ALBANY, N.Y. — A measure to block discharges of radioactive water into the Hudson River as part of the Indian Point nuclear plant's decommissioning was signed into law Friday by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The bill was introduced to thwart the planned release of 1.3 million gallons of water with traces of radioactive tritium from the retired riverside plant 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of New York City.
The plan sparked a groundswell of opposition in the suburban communities along the river. Many feared the discharges would depress real estate values and drive away sailors, kayakers and swimmers after decades of progress in cleaning up the Hudson River.
Supporters of the planned releases say that they would be similar to those made when the Indian Point Energy Center was making electricity and that the concentration of tritium had been far below federal standards. Such releases are made by other plants, hospitals and other institutions, they said.
The bill to ban radioactive discharges into the Hudson River as part of decommissioning was introduced by two Democratic lawmakers from the Hudson Valley and approved by the Legislature in June.
“The Hudson River is one of New York’s landmark natural treasures, and it’s critical we stand together to protect it for generations to come,” Hochul said in a prepared statement.
Indian Point was shut down in 2021 and transferred to Holtec International for decommissioning. The project was expected to take 12 years and cost $2.3 billion.
Holtec planned to discharge water from spent fuel pools and
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