NY Attorney General demands earthquake study on nuclear plant before relicensing

March 19th, 2011 - 6:20 pm ICT by ANI  

New York, Mar.19 (ANI): In the wake of the current nuclear crisis in Japan, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has demanded that the federal nuclear regulators must conduct a seismic study to check the earthquake resistance status of the Indian Point nuclear power plant, before renewing its operating license.

The Indian Point Energy Center, 24 miles from the city in Buchanan in New York, has been leaking water from a safety lining since 1993 and is listed among dozens of US nuclear plants whose license will expire in 2015.

” While the possibility of an intense earthquake is low, the potential for harm is so catastrophic that it has to be taken into account. We are adamant that the relicensing of Indian Point not go forward until seismic risks are evaluated,” ABC News quoted Schneiderman as saying.

Schneiderman said he is also concerned about the spent fuel rods that are currently stored in a decommissioned reactor on the site.

Referring to the current nuclear crisis in Japan, he said that nuclear waste stored at Indian Point could pose as a long-term risk.

The first reactor in Indian Point was licensed in 1962 and since then it has been in controversy.
More than 20 million people live within 50 miles of its two operating reactors. (ANI)

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