To sue or not to sue. Astorino and
County Legislature leaders at sharp odds.
WHITE PLAINS – Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino’s proposal to sue the state to force an environmental impact study on the impending closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant is “dead on arrival,” Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz said Thursday.
Astorino, a Republican, said Wednesday whether you support or oppose nuclear power, a full environmental review of the implications of closure must be studied.
But, Kaplowitz and Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, both Democdrats, both said they do not support the study.
“We really need to remain focused in the remaining time until Indian Point – Entergy – voluntarily closes, to spend our time a little more productively focus on how to replace the power, the jobs and the taxes, not simply file more lawsuits,” Kaplowitz said.
Borgia called Astorino’s proposal to sue “another foolish waste of Westchester taxpayer money.” She said as a member of the governor’s Indian Point Closure Task Force, she will “continue to advocate for state resources to mitigate economic, job, school district losses and environmental concerns surrounding spent fuel rods.”
”The historic settlement agreement to close Indian Point is a landmark victory for the Hudson River and the people of New York,” Borgia said.
Environmental group Scenic Hudson, which brokered the Indian Point closure deal with Entergy and the state, is standing fast on its call for a plant closure.
