Nuclear power plant dismantling clears final hurdle

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved an agreement reached in April 2021 to allow the decommissioning and cleanup of the Indian Point nuclear power facility in that state to move forward.

A press release from New York Attorney General Letitia James says her agency will continue to monitor the task ahead for Camden, New Jersey- Holtec International and its subsidiaries as it decommissions the idled power plant, which is located just 25 miles from New York City.

“I have always maintained that the dismantling and cleanup of Indian Point should prioritize the safety and wellbeing of New Yorkers,” states James. “Today’s approval of the agreement my office reached with Holtec certifies that we can move forward with a decommissioning process that is safe, responsible, thorough, and exceeds stringent federal standards.” 

The decommissioning agreement reached was negotiated by the state of New York, local governments, environmental organizations, Entergy (the utility that owns the plant) and Holtec, says James. It will allow the transfer of ownership of the nuclear power facility to Holtec, which will be responsible for the “swift, complete, and safe decommissioning and remediation of the facility and site,” according to the attorney general’s office.