Having explained to the general public that there was nothing to be concerned about [7], when an exploding transformer shut down at least one unit of the Indian River nuclear power plant, noting "no danger to public safety," it appears the situation is not as 'contained' as officials hoped. As Sputnik News reports, thousands of gallons of oil that leaked into the Hudson River after the explosion has formed a gigantic oil sheen on the waterway. NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has demanded a probe into the incident, adding that Entergy and contractors will clean up the spill.
- *CUOMO: PROBE ON WEEKEND INCIDENT AT INDIAN POINT PLANT ONGOING
- *CUOMO SAYS OIL DISCHARGE RESULT OF FIRE IN A TRANSFORMER
- *CUOMO: N.Y. WORKING WITH U.S. COAST GUARD TO MONITOR SITUATION
- *CUOMO: NY, U.S. EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE TO HUDSON RIVER
The oil made its way into the river following an explosion, fire, and leak that occurred Saturday at the Indian Point nuclear facility in Buchanan, about 40 miles north of Midtown Manhattan.
According to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), oil leaked into the facility's discharge drains during the fire, then into the river.
However, "there is no doubt that oil was discharged into the Hudson River," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said at Indian Point on Sunday. "We have booms in the water now around the discharged pipe to collect any oil that may be in the river."
The fire did not cause the release of any radiation and did not pose a threat to workers or the public, according to a statement by Entergy Corp, the owner of the nuclear power plant.
The Journal News cited a state official as saying the oil leak "left a sheen of 75-by-100 feet just south of the two reactors, and is likely expanding."
There is also a "notable odor" in the vicinity of the power plant, according to a boat crew for the watchdog group Riverkeeper, which patrolled the Hudson off Indian Point after the transformer fire.
* * *
According to the Journal News, US Rep. Nita Lowey of New York said the NRC should not renew Indian Point's license for their reactors, a matter the federal body is currently considering.
"This latest episode proves that Indian Point remains a serious threat to public health and safety," Lowey said in a statement. "We are extremely fortunate that a catastrophic scenario did not unfold, and I urge officials to conduct a swift and thorough investigation."
Photo shows oil sheen on Hudson River after Indian Point Nuclear plant fire, but Entergy says no harm to area via … pic.twitter.com/DVzTF8V4eJ [9]
— News Mayotte (@NewsMayotte) May 11, 2015 [10]
