Leak Closes Reopened Nuclear Plant
A small leak of radioactive coolant was discovered Wednesday a few hours after the Indian Point 2 nuclear power plant went back into service after an 11-month closure to fix a similar problem.
Federal and plant officials said the new leak posed no danger, but area officials demanded that the 26-year-old plant be shut down.
“I cannot go out and tell the people of Westchester County that the nuclear plant in Buchanan is safe,” county official Andrew Spano said. “Close down the plant, fix the leak.”
Consolidated Edison, which owns the plant, said it was operating safely.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Neil Sheehan said the leak was “minute,” less than 0.08 of a gallon per minute. Industry guidelines allow a leak of 10 gallons per minute, he said.
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