Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant: Closure and Decommissioning

After nearly 60 years in operation, the last operational reactor in the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant shut down for the final time in April 2021. Located in Westchester County, only 25 miles from New York City, the facility was closed following decades of advocacy from Clearwater and our partners such as the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, and the United for Clean Energy Convergence. Over the decades of operation, plagued by potentially catastrophic operational failures –including a breakdown of emergency cooling systems causing Reactor #1 to be shut down in 1974, degradation of baffle-former bolts, and a boric acid leak in the reactor’s pressure vessel head (1, 2, 3).

Clearwater has been a fierce advocate and ally to grassroots organizations. In conceptualizing the creation of a Decommissioning Oversight Board with our partners in the Indian Point Convergence to advise on and assess how to protect the interests of the communities affected by decommissioning, including the interests of the current workforce. Learn more about the Decommissioning Oversight Board.

Decommissioning Indian Point

Decommissioning of Indian Point is currently underway and is estimated to be completed by 2062 (4). In early 2023, Holtec, the company decommissioning Indian Point, announced its intention to release 1.3 million gallons of treated but radioactive water into the Hudson River. Due to public outcry, the releases were postponed several times, creating the opportunity for the introduction, passage, and signing of the Save the Hudson Bill, which banned the discharge of any radiological substance into the Hudson River during the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant. Sponsored by New York State Assembly Member Levenberg and Senator Harckham, the bill was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Governor Hochul on August 18, 2023.

The next Decommissioning Oversight Board meeting is Wednesday, December 6 from 6-8:30pm. Learn more.

Stay up to date with the Indian Point Decommissioning Process