WHITE PLAINS – The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has agreed to Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s (D, NY-17) request for a public meeting on the decommissioning of Indian Point this fall in the community surrounding the nuclear power plant.
“As Indian Point is decommissioned, it is essential that federal partners do everything possible to protect the safety of the surrounding community and help mitigate the economic impact of the plants’ closure,” said Lowey. “This meeting will ensure that local stakeholders – from elected officials to concerned residents and neighbors – can voice their concerns and make requests for necessary assistance directly to NRC.”
Earlier this year, NRC solicited public comments on potential locations for public meetings to discuss best practices for community engagement panels near nuclear power plants facing decommissioning. These meetings will be part of the NRC’s process to meeting a reporting requirement to Congress which was included in the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act.
Lowey, Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi and Buchanan Village Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker all requested that NRC hold one of the meetings in Cortlandt based on the impact on their communities, which face the closure of the Indian Point facility in the coming years.
Lowey wrote NRC Chair Kristine Svinicki in April 2019 with the formal request, and NRC has notified Lowey’s office that the meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at the Cortlandt Community Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“I hope everyone who has concerns about the closure of Indian Point – whether they’re about safety, jobs, or redevelopment – will come tell NRC directly about what would be most helpful to our community in the coming years as Indian Point closes,” said Lowey. “With input from the public, we can put pressure on NRC to provide what we and other communities facing nuclear plant closures need to ensure our ongoing physical and economic security.”
