Indian Point Officials Fighting To Keep Nuclear Plant Open

BUCHANAN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Indian Point Energy Center officials are fighting with the state to keep the nuclear plant operational.

As WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported, the company that owns the Buchanan facility, Entergy Nuclear Operations, is trying to get a federal court to toss out the state's refusal to grant the power plant a permit to operate on the Hudson River.

"It's an end-game situation for them," said Paul Gallay.

Gallay, with the clean water advocate group Riverkeeper, said the operators of Indian Point are just trying to delay the plant's inevitable shutdown. He said the state cited major issues, including environmental damage and poor safety, when it denied the plant's permit in November.

"There are so many reasons to close Indian Point, pick any one of the 10 and New York wins the lawsuit just on that one," Gallay said.

Entergy's argument is that only the federal government has the power to regulate plants based on safety standards.