In Focus: Rockland

Indian Point: Vital or a safety risk?

August

Today’s Community View by Rockland Business Association President/CEO drew comments. After all, it’s about Indian Point, which continues to be a hot-button issue in the Lower Hudson Valley. Samuels’ basic point? Well, here’s the “nut graf,” editor-speak for the sentence or sentences that summarize the essence, and context of the story or the “why it matters” statement:

Samuels says:

From a business standpoint, shutting down Indian Point’s 2,000 megawatts of safe, clean power would have a serious impact on our entire regional economy.

Here’s what one forum poster said about the siting of IP along the Hudson and near a major metropolitan area:

I’m not against nuclear power – but keeping this thing on the Hudson – one of largest fish (and so food) breeding estuaries in world is nuts. Even if the plant is safe there were things like 9-11 plane that flew right over and also the engineer from there that killed himself and his family. It’s too risky.

Another countered that power generation in the area is sparse and necessary:

I retired from 30 years with Con Ed.I know just what a “power pocket” the Hudson valley is. Aside from the ex-Con Ed power plants in NYC ( whose power exclusively serves NYC), there is NO generation in this area.
No generation, that is, except Indian Point.
Shut IP down, and you’re looking at 3 or 4 blackouts a year, forever.

Another pointed out the Hudson’s pollution from old industries that once dotted its banks, but found Indian Point an exception:

Indian Point helps clean the Hudson up, by not using diesel oil, coal, or any other “dirt fuel”, which would end up in the river. Nutcase phobias won’t help us survive Mr. Obama’s Great Depression II, but a smoothly running Indian Point will.

What do you think of Samuels’ view, and Indian Point?

2007 FILE PHOTO: Indian Point nuclear power complex in Buchanan, as seen from Tomkins Cove, across the Hudson River.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am by Nancy Cutler.
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