Summary

This bill amends the environmental conservation law to prohibit the discharge of radiological substances into the Hudson River during nuclear decommissioning processes and establishes fines for violating that prohibition.

Explanation

This bill will prevent the discharge of harmful radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River during nuclear decommissioning processes. With safer disposal alternatives available, this bill will protect public health and local economies in the Hudson Valley.

The company overseeing the decommissioning of New York’s Indian Point nuclear facility, Holtec International, is seeking to discharge approximately 1 million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River this year. The wastewater includes tritium, a radioactive material that is linked to cancer, miscarriages, and other adverse health effects.

Dumping toxic wastewater into the Hudson River could have negative impacts on the river’s delicate ecosystem as well as the recreation economy that sustains so many Hudson Valley communities. Holtec’s planned discharge would coincide with high demand for swimming, paddling, and other recreational activities on the river.

Temporarily storing the wastewater onsite is a far safer alternative, allowing it to become less radioactive. Longer-term disposal can then be identified as part of the overall decommissioning process.

A growing number of municipalities, including Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess and Ulster counties, are opposed to Holtec’s plan. This bill will ensure that the company is prohibited from unnecessarily harming one of New York’s most precious natural resources.

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