NRC gives Indian Point “green†rating for 2011
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors devoted more than 11,000 hours to Indian Point Energy Center”™s two nuclear reactors in 2011, culminating in a “green,” or very low risk, safety rating.
NRC staff held a public meeting and open house on May 17 at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Tarrytown to discuss the agency”™s annual assessment of the plant”™s safety performance.
During 2011, Indian Point Units 2 and 3 “operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and met all cornerstone objectives,” according to a letter from the NRC to Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc. that accompanied the annual assessment.
As a result, for the rest of 2012, the two reactors will receive the inspection regime used by the NRC for plants found to be operating well.
Entergy spokesman Jim Steets said the positive safety rating likely won”™t sway opponents who are calling for the plant”™s closure when the two units”™ licenses expire in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
“It should but I wouldn”™t expect that it would because they”™re operating on an agenda as opponents of nuclear power,” Steets said. “Most of the opponents who spoke (at the meeting) and the few that protested as well have strongly held beliefs that nuclear power can”™t be safe. I don”™t see them being swayed by even a convincing presentation by the NRC based on their inspection.”
Steets said Entergy officials are currently working with both state and federal agencies as they seek the plants”™ relicensing.