# Indian Point Energy Center

Indian Point Energy Center was a three-unit nuclear facility situated in Buchanan, New York, approximately 36 miles north of Manhattan on the Hudson River's east bank. The plant permanently ceased operations on April 30, 2021, after nearly six decades of service.

## Operational History

- Unit 1: Operated from 1962 to 1974 (275 MW capacity) - Unit 2: Operated from 1974 to 2020 (1,020 MW capacity) - Unit 3: Operated from 1976 to 2021 (1,040 MW capacity)

Before shutdown, the two active reactors generated approximately 2,000 megawatts of electricity, representing about 25% of New York City's power consumption.

## Economic Significance

Indian Point generated $1.3 billion of annual economic output in local counties. The facility directly employed roughly 1,000 workers.

## Environmental Concerns

The cooling system's water intake killed nearly a billion aquatic organisms a year, including the shortnose sturgeon, an endangered species. In 2005, water containing tritium and strontium-90 was discovered leaking into the Hudson River.

Following closure, carbon emissions from in-state generation in New York rose 35 percent as natural gas replaced nuclear power.

## Safety and Seismic Risk

The Ramapo Fault, located less than a mile from the plant, posed geological risks. NRC estimated earthquake risk of core damage at 1 in 10,000 per year for Unit 3.

## Closure

Governor Andrew Cuomo spearheaded closure efforts. In January 2017, a phased shutdown was announced. Contributing factors included low wholesale energy prices and environmental advocacy from groups like Riverkeeper.

## Current Status

Holtec International currently owns and is decommissioning the facility.