"Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Save the Hudson” bill into law on Friday, banning any further radioactive waste dumping in the Hudson River.

The defunct Indian Point Energy Center, which is the only nuclear plant on the Hudson, is undergoing decommissioning. In February, the plant’s owner, Holtec International, announced it would dump batches of more than 1 million gallons of radioactive water into the river beginning this summer – describing it as the best option for disposing of the material.

The announcement set off a monthslong backlash from surrounding communities who clamored for an alternative, citing health and economic concerns about using the Hudson River, already a federal superfund site, as a dumping ground. While Holtec postponed its August timeframe, the company told Gothamist earlier this week that it still had plans to go ahead in late September or early October. The law effectively blocks this planned discharge."

Rosemary Misdary reports for Gothamist August 18, 2023. [2]