Hochul signs bill to ban wastewater dumping in Hudson River

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill to ban the discharge of radiological waste from the Indian Point Energy Center nuclear plant into the Hudson River.

The bill (S.6893/A.7208) was passed by the state legislature in June amid concerns raised by environmentalists and lawmakers. Hochul said her administration will work with federal regulators, the state”™s Decommissioning Oversight Board, local officials and Holtec, the company responsible for the plant”™s decommissioning under the control of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to identify feasible alternatives to the wastewater disposal.

“The Hudson River is one of New York”™s landmark natural treasures, and it”™s critical we stand together to protect it for generations to come,” Hochul said in a statement. “My administration remains committed to protecting the economic vitality of the region and working closely with local communities who have advocated so passionately for this cause.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer praised the new law as marking “a monumental stride forward in safeguarding our majestic Hudson River and the Hudson Valley region. I commend Gov. Kathy Hochul for her leadership in signing this legislation, and I also thank Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg for introducing this vital measure.”