Cuomo: “The bad news …”
BUCHANAN – One of two main electrical transformers caught fire
at the Indian Point nuclear power plant unit 3 Saturday evening causing
the plant to shut down. The heat from the fire reignited it a second time
after it was extinguished.
There was no release of radiation and no reported injuries.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state, county and local officials were notified.
The fire did cause oil in the transformer to leak out and overflow a containment unit, ultimately entering the Hudson River.
Governor Cuomo, who was at the power plant Sunday, said that oil slick is being contained. But, he is concerned with the overall situation.
“The bad news is the transformer itself is a significant piece of equipment,” Cuomo said. “The damage from the fire from the transformer is significant and there have been a number of these transformer incidents and the fear is you have a transformer rupture and that triggers other situations.”
The state DEC is investigating the environmental aspects of the fire and oil leak into the river. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Indian Point unit 2 remained in operation.
State Environmental Commissioner Joseph Martens, right, views the 300-foot boom containing the spill
