Rusted, Broken Containment Systems in Indian Point Discharge Canal: NY State Officials

CORTLANDT, NY — The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Public Service have been directed to conduct a comprehensive review of Friday’s oil spill event at the Indian Point Energy Center as part of the state's ongoing investigation into the operational reliability and safety of the nuclear power plant.

About 600 gallons of petroleum leaked from a heat exchanger into a cooling water discharge canal inside the plant on Friday.

State officials released a statement Monday that called the facility's infrastructure into question.

Visual inspection over the weekend revealed rusted and broken containment systems in and along the discharge canal which suggests that due to either poor design or maintenance, the infrastructure may be inadequate to prevent contaminant releases into the Hudson River.

Since 2011 there have been over 40 spills and unexpected shutdown events at the Indian Point Nuclear Reactor, highlighting the ongoing safety, environmental and reliability concerns with the plant’s continued operation.

Entergy spokeswoman Patricia offered this statement in response:

Cleanup efforts are underway to draw out the oil identified Friday morning in the discharge canal, the majority of the which had collected inside the plant in a closed below-grade area. There is no evidence that the oil has reached the Hudson River and we believe that our actions to date, including a permanent protective oil boom inside the discharge canal and our environmental response, have been effective preventative measures.

Under DEC oversight, Entergy's clean up contractors Miller Environmental deployed absorbent booms Friday to collect the petroleum sheen in the discharge canal and to prevent the spill from reaching the Hudson River.

Most of the petroleum that leaked was contained within the plant and only a small portion reached the discharge canal, DEC officials said over the weekend.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo inspected the facility on Friday night.

DEC spill response staff performed another inspection of the facility on Saturday, and found no oil or sheen visible in either the canal or the Hudson River. DEC will continue to monitor Entergy contractors Clean Harbors on Monday as they recover the oil contained within the plant.

PHOTO/ Entergy