Radioactive Discharges Into Hudson River Banned

ALBANY, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “Save the Hudson” bill Friday that bans the discharge of radioactive waste into the Hudson River from nuclear plants that are being decommissioned.

The legislation, which was passed by both the Senate and the Assembly in June, is expected to stop Holtec International’s planned discharge, as early as September, of more than 1 million gallons of treated wastewater from the Indian Point site into the Hudson River.

Hochul said the Hudson River is one of New York’s landmark natural treasures, and it was critical to protect it for generations to come.

“My administration remains committed to protecting the economic vitality of the region and working closely with local communities who have advocated so passionately for this cause,” she said.

Since Holtec announced its plans in February, there has been pushback and protests from 35 Hudson River localities, more than 130 groups and nearly 500,000 people.

Food & Water Watch Northeast Regional Director Alex Beauchamp said Hochul was sending a strong signal to corporate polluters.

“Industrial waste has no place in our water,” he said.

“The Save the Hudson bill will ensure that the Hudson River is no longer treated as a toxic dumping ground, prioritizing public health and the environment over corporate expediency,” Beauchamp said.

A spokesman for Holtec International, the company in charge of decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear facility which is located in Buchanan, said it was disappointing that the governor signed the legislation.

“We firmly believe that this legislation is preempted by federal law and that the discharge of monitored, processed and treated water would not impact the environment or the health and safety of the public,” said Patrick O’Brien, spokesman for Holtec International.

“In the interim, we will evaluate the impact to our decommissioning milestones and the overall project schedule,” he said.

State Senator Peter Harckham, D-South Salem, who sponsored the legislation along with Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, D-Ossining, thanked Hochul for signing the bill which would protect one of the country’s most important national resources.

“This historic, landmark law prevents the release of radioactive wastewater into the river and protects the robust economic vitality of the region,” he said.

Attorney General Letitia James said she was committed to defending the state’s natural resources and protecting the health of its communities.

“Decommissioning a nuclear power plant is a complex process that must be done safely and carefully,” she said. “This new law demonstrates that the voices and concerns of New Yorkers were heard, and my office will continue to monitor this process to ensure that it is legal and is done in a way that protects our shared environment.”