Efforts to stop widening of AIM pipeline near Indian Point are fear tactics, says spokesman

BUCHANAN – The efforts
to have the courts put a halt to the project to enlarge the AIM pipeline
as it runs past the Indian Point nuclear power plant is nothing more than
“fear-mongering,” according to an official of plant owner Entergy.
The group said if an enlarged natural gas pipeline was to fail and explode, it would take Indian Point with it. Indian Point spokesman Jerry Nappi said that claim has no basis in science or engineering.
Nappi said independent studies demonstrate Indian Point is safe, even from the worst-case pipeline accident. And he said additional safeguards are going to be put in place.  He said Indian Point owner Entergy has requested and the owners of the pipeline have made a number of enhancements to the pipeline in the village where it goes by Indian Point.
“Those enhancements include burying the pipeline deeper, putting protective concrete mats over the pipeline in case an excavator were digging in that area; other protections like enhanced inspections of the welding,” Nappi said.
The latest challenge to the larger pipeline is in federal court where Riverkeeper and the other groups are asking for the project to be shut down.