BUCHANAN – It was a little
over a year ago when Indian Point unit 2 reactor core baffle bolts were
found missing or impaired, causing opponents of the nuclear power plant
to raise their voices against continued operation of the facilities. At
that time, 227 of 832 bolts were found either degraded or missing.
Since then, an agreement was reached to permanently shut down units 2
and 3 in 2020 and 2021.
Now, it has been learned that 256 of the 832 bolts that keep the inner
plates of the reactor core from coming apart in unit 3 were impaired.
A statement from Indian Point owner Entergy said, “The number of
bolts to be replaced at Unit 3 this year is consistent with the number
of bolts that were replaced last year at Unit 2. Independent engineering
experts concluded both Indian Point units operated safely and that the
baffle bolts in both units performed their intended function at all times
while the plants were running, as expected based on the comprehensive
analysis conducted last year.”
Riverkeeper has been in the lead along with the governor to close down
the facilities.
Riverkeeper spokesman Cliff Weathers said Wednesday the cause of those
two situations must be determined immediately.
“We need to know why these two reactors are the only ones to suffer
such problems. It is incumbent upon the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
to conduct a root-cause analysis of the problem. We don’t know if
it is a design or structural problem or just a maintenance issue, but
until the NRC determines the cause, they should not let unit 3 reopen,”
he said.
Unit 3 has been off-line for weeks for a scheduled refueling.
