NRC Asks: Do You Want A Hearing On Sale Of Indian Point

CORTLANDT, NY — Residents near Indian Point are concerned about Entergy's plan to sell the nuclear power plants to Holtec Decommissioning International. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing Entergy's application to transfer the licenses for Indian Point Units 1, 2, and 3 and also for the associated independent spent fuel storage installation.

If anyone wants the NRC to hold a hearing on the application, they must file a request by Feb. 12, , said spokesman Neil Sheehan.

Holtec officials visited the community in January to discuss their plans. SEE: Holtec's Plan To Demolish Indian Point Generates Many Questions.

Many locals oppose having Holtec take over.

Riverkeeper, the Hudson Valley environmental watchdog group, came out in November against the sale. Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay said Holtec is involved in bribing scandals, has limited experience with decommissioning and is accused of serious design flaws in its spent fuel management system at the San Onofre nuclear power plant.

Activist Marilyn Elie urged New Yorkers to lobby the State Assembly Senate to demand a New York State Decommissioning Oversight Board to supervise what will be a lengthy clean-up involving the removal of millions of cubic feet of radioactive material.

"Billions of dollars will be spent on this mammoth project and it has to be done right," she said. "Chances are your representative has not heard about this yet, especially if you live outside Westchester or Rockland."

Holtec has estimated the cleanup will cost $2.3 billion. The company has also asked the NRC to let it divert $632 million from the trust fund to cover the cost of managing the highly radioactive spent fuel rods.

The decommissioning trust funds now total $2.1 billion.

"They claim that accrued interest will make up the difference," Elie said. "Frankly, it is entirely possible that it will cost a lot more if they do a clean and thorough job and it is the taxpayers that could be left holding the bag."

Meanwhile, the next meeting of the Indian Point Closure Task Force will be Jan. 30. The purpose of the task force is to provide guidance and support to the communities, taxing jurisdictions, and employees affected by the planned closure of Indian Point.

Discussion will continue on the goals and priorities of the Task Force and its progress. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting will be jointly held with the locally organized Community Unity Task Force at 7 p.m. at Cortlandt Town Hall.