NRC to hear arguments challenging license amendment of Indian Point plant in New York

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said Tuesday it has scheduled a hearing for July 30 on arguments challenging a license amendment of Unit 2 of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Buchanan, New York.

The NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will address contentions that had been filed against the plant by the state of New York. State officials have said that the Indian Point Power Plant, owned by Entergy, has failed to meet legal requirements relating to the scheduling of structural testing of Unit 2, resulting in a challenge to a license extension on the reactor. 

The meeting is open to the public and the media, however participation is limited to legal representatives for New York, Entergy and NRC staff. 

The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the White Flint North Building in Rockville, Maryland. Observers are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins in order to accommodate necessary security screenings. The NRC said signs will not be permitted in the meeting room.

Many groups representing the communities surrounding the plant have urged that the plant be closed and the reactor unit's licenses be allowed to expire due to environmental and safety risks.

 Unit 3 of the plant is set to expire in December of this year.