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Sen. Murphy, Assemblywoman Galef Question Closure Of Indian Point

BUCHANAN, N.Y. --  Count Sen. Terrence Murphy (R-Yorktown) and Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (D-Ossining) among the many politicians concerned about the decision to close Buchanan-based Indian Point.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Sen. Terrence Murphy have expressed concern about the closure of Indian Point.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Sen. Terrence Murphy have expressed concern about the closure of Indian Point.

Photo Credit: File

On Monday, Entergy, which runs the nuclear power plant, confirmed that it will be closing Unit 2 by April 2020 and Unit 3 by April 2021, saying it is no longer economically viable for the plant to remain open.

The closures come after Entergy reached a settlement agreement with New York State.

Murphy, whose district includes Indian Point, complained that there are too few details in the plans to close the plant and said Gov. Andrew Cuomo needs to be more transparent.  Murphy said he wants to see Cuomo come to the region to explain how fuel rods will be stored, where power will come from, the impact of lost jobs and what this means for the school districts and municipalities affected by the closure.

"We call on the governor to bring his show on the road to my district and explain this to us," Murphy said. "Until we get the Governor, the Power Authority, Entergy, homeland security and others together with lawmakers and local officials so we have real transparency in the decision-making process, I will urge my colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly to reject these proposals."

Galef, whose district includes Indian Point, said she was shocked when she heard about Indian Point's closure. 

"I am very concerned about the effect it will have on the employees of Entergy, their families, as well as the loss of tax revenue which the local school district and municipalities significantly rely on," Galef said.

The assemblywoman said she hopes Cuomo brings elected officials together to determine a course of action. 

Sen. David Carlucci, who represents Ossining, had sponsored legislation to create a dedicated fund used for safe storage of nuclear materials, 

"While Indian Point ends operations over the next few years, there has to be a proactive plan to safely store nuclear materials that will be radioactive for years in a way that protects community members and the natural environment," Carlucci said.

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