HV County Executives Say “Don’t Ever Dump”
County Executives from, L-R, Orange County Steven Neuhaus., Westchester County George Latimer, Ulster County Jen Metzger, Rockland County Ed Day, and Putnam County Kevin Byrne
Holtec, the owner of the closed Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Buchanan, has pulled back on its threatened plan to dump one million gallons of Nuclear waste into the Hudson River in May. The announcement came after elected officials and environmental groups began to organize and rally against the dumping, which was planned for August, then moved up to May after State legislation was submitted to make their dumping plan illegal.
On the banks of the Hudson River in Peekskill, and flanked by leading environmentalists, the County Executives from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Ulster Counties said the pause on the May planned release of treated wastewater from Indian Point Energy Center into the Hudson River isn’t enough. The County Executives are demanding that any planned dump of the toxic water be abandoned, and that Holtec launch a transparent and thorough review, including hearing from local residents and officials, on how best to deal with contaminated wastewater at the plant.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Holtec heard the clear call by all concerned parties to stop the plan to dump Indian Point wastewater into the majestic Hudson River – but this battle is far from over. We need a plan for this radioactive wastewater from Indian Point, and we need the plan to protect the health of the people who call the Hudson Valley home. We also a need good faith commitment from Holtec to have discussions about the plan in a transparent and forthcoming manner. Decisions need to be made considering the welfare of the residents and the environment – not just Holtec’s bottom line.”
As the situation continues to develop, the County Executives from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties remain committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of local communities and the environment.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day pointed out, “Holtec is also looking to dump 1.1 million of wastewater from the Pilgrim nuclear power plant into Cape Cod Bay. Let me say this – if Holtec is willing to risk an entire fishing industry clearly they will not blink an eye at dumping radioactive waste into our Hudson River here.”
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said, “There are absolutely other alternative solutions and we need to be very clear in our resolve and say under no circumstances will any of our local officials support any effort to dump wastewater into our beautiful Hudson River.”
Latimer added that more than 1 million people reside in the five counties and their county executives united in their opposition to Holtec dumping.
Efforts are now being made to get Governor Kathy Hochul to join the effort and tell Holtec don’t dump in the hudson. On April 27, in Cortlandt Manor, the Decommissioning Oversight Board will be convening to discuss next steps on the closure of Indian Point, including what to do with Holtec’s onsite radioactive waste. After a rally calling on Hochul to step up and take action to prevent Holtec from dumping toxic waste into our water, there will also be an opportunity to give comments to the board and support others inside the meeting.
“Holtec International, the company in charge of decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear plant, wants to dump the radioactive waste from the plant’s spent fuel into the Hudson River, instead of holding and safely breaking down the toxic waste on site as soon as this summer!
“The wastewater from Indian Point’s spent fuel contains tritium, among other contaminants. Tritium is highly radioactive and linked to higher rates of cancer, and it threatens our Hudson River ecosystem.
We cannot afford radioactive pollutants in our Hudson River, which supplies drinking water to local municipalities and hosts a vibrant marine ecosystem,” writes food and water watch, foodandwaterwatch.org, one of the many groups standing up for a clean Hudson River.
Riverkeeper has provided alternative options for Holtec, in leiu of dumping into the Hudson. “Holtec’s decision to pause its hastily planned release of 1 million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River demonstrates the power of local residents organizing to protect their communities and our river. While the expedited release timeline starting as early as May has been suspended, the tritiated wastewater could still be discharged during the summer while people are swimming and fish are migrating and spawning in the Hudson. This plan is totally unacceptable,” said Tracy Brown, President of Riverkeeper.
“We have a decommissioning oversight board for Indian Point to ensure environmental and public health don’t lose out against corporate profits. Riverkeeper stands with our community and our elected officials, calling on Holtec to engage with that board and agree upon a disposal plan for the radioactive wastewater that supports the current health of our Hudson River and Valley.”
The delay by Holtec allows state legislation submitted by State Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg to continue to make its way through the legislature. If both state houses pass it in time, it will go to the Governor for her signature
County Executives Latimer, Day and Byrne, were joined by Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
