Indian Point to Conduct Security Training Exercises Friday

CORTLANDT, NY – Security officers will be participating in a scheduled training drill at the Indian Point Energy Center during the daytime on Friday.

Members of the public may hear what appears to be gunfire from the simulated weapons systems which are used during the exercises at the nuclear power plants.

Local law enforcement agencies have been informed of the events, said Entergy spokeswoman Patricia Kakridas.

Security officers will be using Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) gear during the drill. These systems involve special laser weaponry which duplicates the effects, including sound, of live ammunition. MILES gear is used for military and counter-terrorism training across the country.

Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan is home to two operating nuclear power plants, unit 2 and unit 3, which generate approximately 2,000 megawatts of electricity for homes, business and public facilities in New York City and Westchester County.

The initial operating license for Indian Point Unit 2 expired on Sept. 28, 2013, and the operating license for the Indian Point Unit 3 expired Dec. 12, 2015. Under the “timely renewal” provision of federal regulations, both units are allowed to continue to operate until the review of the plant’s license renewal application is completed. There is no exact time frame for when that will occur given that a hearing on the application is continuing and that there have been appeals of decisions rendered by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board panel conducting the hearing, with more likely.

RELATED:

• NY Doubles Down on Indian Point Opposition
• Entergy Seeks Control of Indian Point Decommissioning Fund

Indian Point's owner, Entergy Corporation, owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $11.5 billion and more than 13,000 employees.

PHOTO/ Entergy