BUCHANAN – Saying the Indian Point nuclear power plant should never
have been built where it is because of its close proximity to a largely
populated area, US Senator Charles Schumer does not support the movement
to shut it down immediately.
The senator said the plant serves some 25 percent of the power to the
downstate area making it invaluable.
“I have told some of the environmental people if you can show me
a plan to figure out a way to replace that electricity, fine, but if you
can’t, it’s going to raise electricity rates 30 or 40 percent,
which are high enough on average people and that’s not the way to
go. In the meantime, I have emphasized very strong safety,” Schumer
said.
The senator said there hasn’t been anyone tougher on Indian Point’s
owner, Entergy, over safety and incidents such as last week’s leak
of low levels of radioactive water.
