A federal judge ruled that approximately 45,000 gallons of radioactive water from a defunct nuclear plant in New York can be discharged into the Hudson River. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas supported New Jersey-based Holtec International, which sued New York State last year over restrictions on nuclear waste disposal. The company argued federal law overrides state regulations, allowing it to use a method approved by federal authorities.
The decision overturned New York’s “Save The Hudson” law, designed to block the discharge of radioactive material into the waterway. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins condemned the ruling, stating it undermines efforts to protect the environment. Judge Karas noted the 2023 law prohibited Holtec from using a federally recognized disposal method.
Holtec asserted the dumping would comply with federal safety standards, emphasizing its commitment to environmentally responsible decommissioning. The Indian Point Energy Center, closed in 2021 after decades of public concern over environmental risks, was purchased by Holtec for immediate decommissioning. The company highlighted that similar discharges occurred during the plant’s operation, with tritium-laced water released into the Hudson River.
Despite Governor Kathy Hochul’s advocacy for the “Save The Hudson” law, she criticized the closure of Indian Point as short-sighted while promoting a new nuclear facility. Local officials and environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential impact of radioactive waste on the ecosystem.