TARRYTOWN – Nuclear Regulatory Commission regional officials say the Indian Point nuclear power plant, in Buchanan, operated safely during 2012.
That does not mean Indian Point 2 is on the fast track for renewal of its operating license, which expires in September.
Regional administrator of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission William Dean told reporters in Tarrytown Monday that the actual renewal is a long way off, but that won’t keep the plant from operating.
Meanwhile, Dean said Entergy, the plant owner, is taking all the steps necessary to prepare for that period between expiration and the continuing license review.
“Indian Point is committing to put in place all of its aging management programs that it would be required to do otherwise, if it were to renew the license effective in September, given the fact that it will take probably at least another year or so to get through the contentions and the hearings associated with license renewal.”
There are 13 ‘contentions’ as the NRC terms them. Those are broad areas of concern raised through the recent years of initial hearings and public forums that have taken place to date.
The NRC is also holding an open house May 14 at 6 p.m. and public meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on the assessment. That is at the Doubletree Hotel on Route 9, south of I-87, in Tarrytown.
