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Report: Indian Point's Continued Operation Would Have Minimal Impact On Protected Fish

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - An environmental report from the federal fisheries service has been submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as part of Indian Point nuclear power plant's license renewal process.

The fisheries report said the continued operation of two nuclear plants in the New York City suburbs would kill hundreds of fish in two protected species, but it would not come close to wiping them out.

It says the population of shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon would not be greatly affected if the Indian Point plants win 20-year license renewals.

It predicts just under 1,000 deaths from those fish being caught on screens where the plants take in Hudson River water.

It also found no threat from the warmer water that is discharged back into the river or from any radioactive elements escaping from the plants into the Hudson.

The National Marine Fisheries Service prepared the 168-page document at the request of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The NRC is currently in the midst of hearings on whether the licenses should be renewed.

An NRC spokesman says the document will be considered in a revised environmental impact statement due by April 30.

Another revised statement, on safety at the plant, is due July 31, and the NRC has asked that hearings on the new licenses be delayed until after then.

The licenses for Indian Point 2 and 3 expire this year and in 2015, respectively, but the plants are permitted to keep running until a license decision is made - and through any appeals.

Last summer, Entergy Nuclear, which owns Indian Point, applied for new 20-year licenses for both reactors.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo opposes the new licenses. He says it is unsafe to have a nuclear plant in such a densely populated area.

More than 17 million people live within 50 miles of Indian Point.

Do you think Indian Point should remain open, or be shut down? Sound off in the comments section below...

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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