The United States has ruled in favour of New-Jersey based Holtec International allowing them to release 45,000 gallons of radioactive water from its defunct Indian Point nuclear plant into the Hudson River.
Holtec International is an organization that specialises in dismantling the decommissioned nuclear plants and dealing with the fluids.
Previously, New York Governor Kathy Hochul passed a law “Save the Hudson” in August 2023, preventing the release of radioactive water from a shuttered nuclear facility into the Hudson River.
It has been revealed that the river is a source of clean water for nearly 100,000 residents.
Holtec International’s attorney argued that the New York City administration overstepped their authority by passing the law amending state environmental regulations.
A U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas ruled that the administration’s action was unconstitutional and only the federal government can regulate the discharge of waste from any decommissioned nuclear facility.
For context, the Indian Point Nuclear Plant was completely shut down in 2021 after nearly six decades of operation.
In conversation with The News International, Patrick O’Brien, Director Government Affairs and Communications Holtec International, said, “Treated releases have occurred from Indian Point for over 50 years, these releases are monitored and a fraction of.”
He argued, “The safe, allowable limits provided by the NRC, in fact at a state decommissioning back in 2023 the state noted the discharges for tritium were 1/40th what the EPA allows in drinking water.”
Patrick continued, “The reality is that the closest community that uses the river for drinking water supply is over 20 miles north of the plant, and there are monitoring points along the river that are tested to ensure there have been no issues.”
“The water near the plant is actually brackish and unsuitable for drinking. The state will also do split sampling of any releases, and we report environmental monitoring data to the NRC annually, which they make publicly available.”
He added that Holtec International has no immediate plans for a release, adding, “we will wait to see if the state appeals the court’s decision as well as the judges conference next week.”