Cuomo wants nuke plant shut

Cuomo wants nuke plant shut
var isoPubDate = 'July 13, 2007'

By Greg BrunoTimes Herald-Record July 13, 2007
Albany — State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has thrown his weight behind efforts to shutter the Indian Point power station, his office said yesterday.
In a statement, Cuomo announced his support for a legal battle being waged by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The NRC is reviewing a request by plant owner Energy Nuclear Northeast to renew Indian Point's operating licenses by 20 years. Spano's suit claims the NRC's relicensing process fails to properly consider public safety, emergency planning and other issues.
A friend of the court brief filed by Cuomo supports Spano's assertion, and calls on the federal agency to broaden its license review criteria.
"This brief raises serious questions about the NRC relicensing process — a process that ignores important factors about nuclear power plant safety and is stacked in favor of plant operators," Cuomo said.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal joined Cuomo in filing the amicus brief.
"Our brief reinforces a position I have long held: New York needs to work toward an energy future without Indian Point," Cuomo said.
Plant supporters, however, were predictably sharp-tongued in dismissing that possibility.
"In light of our growing demand for and the rising cost of energy, Mr. Cuomo's announcement is short-sighted and ignores the energy needs of the downstate area," said Jerry Kremer, chairman of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance. "New York's state officials should be looking for ways to create new electric power and not look for ways to choke off what we have."