ALBANY – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has denied the state’s request for a hearing on decommissioning of the Indian Point nuclear power plants in Buchanan and that is “unacceptable and a blatant disregard of the state’s serious concerns,” Governor Cuomo said Friday.
He said cleaning up the facility “will be complicated and expensive, which is why it is critical that the NRC prioritizes an open and transparent process to ensure that Indian Point is decommissioned and restored both safely and thoroughly.”
The governor also said decommissioning trusts funded by ratepayers “should not be used as a slush fund to cover expenses that are ultimately the federal government’s obligation. New York remains steadfast in its efforts to hold any owner of Indian Point to the highest standards, and we will continue to fight to protect the vital interests of New Yorkers.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Friday against the NRC challenging the denial. The suit also challenges the NRC’s decision to allow Holtec to use more than $630 million of the plant’s dedicate decommissioning trust funds for spent fuel management costs, which is the legal and financial responsibility of the federal government.
