Radioactivity at Indian Point Spiked by 65,000 percent

Radioactive tritium-contaminated water leaked into groundwater at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

Radioactive tritium-contaminated water leaked into the groundwater at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.  The company reported massive levels of radioactivity at three monitoring wells, with one well’s radioactivity spiking 650 times from 12,300 picocuries per liter to over 8,000,000 picocuries per liter, or a rise of 65,000 percent, said NY Governor Cuomo.

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is located close to 2 active earthquake faults, with about 6 percent of the US population living within a 50-mile radius of the failing reactors.

[Dated February 6, 2016] Statement from Governor Cuomo Regarding Indian Point Nuclear Facility:

“Yesterday I learned that radioactive tritium-contaminated water leaked into the groundwater at the Indian Point Nuclear facility.  The company reported alarming levels of radioactivity at three monitoring wells, with one well’s radioactivity increasing nearly 65,000 percent. The facility reports that the contamination has not migrated off site and as such does not pose an immediate threat to public health.

The levels of radioactivity reported this week are significantly higher than in past incidents.

“Our first concern is for the health and safety of the residents close to the facility and ensuring the groundwater leak ‎does not pose a threat. [If true, the leaky plant should have been decommissioned years ago! —Ed]

This is not the first such release of radioactive water at Indian Point, nor is this the first time that Indian Point has experienced significant failure in its operation and maintenance. This failure continues to demonstrate that Indian Point cannot continue to operate in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment.

“This latest failure at Indian Point is unacceptable and I have directed Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos and Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to fully investigate this incident and employ all available measures, including working with Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to determine the extent of the release, its likely duration, cause and potential impacts to the environment and public health.”

Cuomo’s letter directing Acting Commissioner Seggos and Commissioner Zucker to  begin their investigation can be viewed here. [Don’t hold your breath! —Ed.]

Related Links

• Indian Point 3 Shuts Down after ‘Electrical Disturbance’ June 16, 2015
• Indian Point Nuke Plant Going Gone?  April 6, 2010
• Fish, Fish Eggs Holocaust December 29, 2008

The following video was published by Riverkeeper at http://www.riverkeeper.org