Feds Launch Hearings On Indian Point

* Starting today, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission panel will begin holding hearings on challenges to the Indian Point nuclear power plant and whether to keep the two reactors running for another 20 years. “Indian Point has already undergone probably the most exhaustive license renewal analysis in the history of the NRC,” Jerry Kremer, chairman of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, said last week. “We are the opinion that the NRC has done a great, in-depth investigation into Indian Point, and we think it will be done safe and will merit renewal.” The Cuomo administration says the plant is a risk and has called for its closure, and last week Riverkeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council issued a report concluding that energy efficiency and renewable energy could replace Indian Point. The lengthy renewal process could well extend beyond the respective 2013 and 2015 deadlines for the two reactors. “There is a strong possibility that the licenses will have expired, and the Indian Point facility will continue to operate, because of this administrative back and forth,” Kremer said. “Eventually there will be a decision some time in the not too distant future, but it’s fair to assume the administrative process is going to drag on.”