The “Save the Hudson” bill — a New York measure that prohibits the dumping of radioactive waste into the Hudson River — is one step closer to becoming a law after passing a special session of state Assembly Tuesday evening.
The 100 to 44 vote for passage came after an avalanche of community momentum and unanimous passage through the State Senate last week. But even if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the measure into law, implementation could prove challenging because nuclear facilities and their waste management usually fall under federal law.
The measure is written to prohibit the dumping of any radiological substances in connection with the decommissioning of a nuclear facility into the Hudson River. Only one such facility exists along this waterway: Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, which ceased operations in April 2021.
The plant’s owner — Holtec International — announced in February that the site would dump more than 1 million gallons of radioactive water into the Hudson River, starting as early as this summer.
The water involves a less intense radioactive isotope, known as tritium, and the release is well within federal standards. But nuclear experts have expressed uncertainty about what level of exposure is safe and whether the effects have been sufficiently studied. As Gothamist reported in April, when tritium chemically embeds into organic matter, such as plants and animals in the food chain, its radiation dose can intensify tenfold.
Assemblymember Dana Levenberg sponsored the bill in her chamber and cited economic impacts as the driver for the legislation. The perception of one million gallons of radioactive water dumped into the Hudson will cause an economic depression in the region, she said.
“The purpose of this bill is to prevent adverse impacts,” Levenberg said.
During the special session, the bill was met with heavy opposition from Republican members who said the state had no authority in this arena and that the real issue is changing…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply