Final Indian Point Unit To Be Shut Down Friday

BUCHANAN, NY — Indian Point Energy Center Unit 3 will be shut down Friday for the final time by control room operators.

Entergy Corporation said the shutdown marks the end of nearly 60 years of safe, virtually carbon-free power generation, according to a spokesperson.

Indian Point Unit 2 was shut down April 30, 2020.

The shutdown of both operating units was announced in 2017 and is pursuant to a settlement agreement with New York.

Chris Bakken, Entergy's chief nuclear officer, said the plant has been operated and maintained at the highest levels of reliability, safety and security for many years.

He said Unit 3 has been online continuously since April 9, 2019, setting a new world record for continuous days of operation.

"Indian Point's enduring legacy will be the thousands of men and women who operated the plant safely, reliably and securely, while helping to power New York City and the lower Hudson Valley for nearly 60 years," Bakken said. "We own those who serve now, along with those who came before them a debt of gratitude."

A closure send-off ceremony thanking the Indian Point employees will be held from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, town of Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi said.

It was originally scheduled to be held at the entrance to Indian Point Energy Center, but has been moved to Lents Cove Park in Buchanan. People should bring a lawn chair; masks are required to be worn.

On April 15, state Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement was reached for the decommissioning and cleanup of the nuclear power plant.

The joint proposal between Holtec International and its subsidiaries and Entergy is subject to approval by the state Public Service Commission.

If the agreement is approved by the PSC, ownership of the nuclear power facility will be transferred to Holtec, which would be responsible for the swift, complete and safe decommissioning and remediation of the facility and site in Buchanan.