Indian Point is Ready for the Wrath of Irene
Entergy Nuclear’s Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan is ready to handle the potential high winds and rainfall that is expected from Hurricane Irene as the storm approaches New York.
“Our nuclear plants are designed and built to withstand extreme weather,” said John Herron, president and CEO of Entergy Nuclear. “Our team of expert personnel worked diligently this past week to ensure our plants are prepared for any impacts resulting from this storm.”
Entergy employees at Indian Point began preparing for the storm earlier this week. Staff will continue to work to ensure Indian Point is prepared for the worst conditions the storm is expected to deliver, Indian Point representatives stated in a release.
In addition to coordinating with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the New York Independent System Operator, preparations for the storm include reviewing emergency staffing plans and verifying emergency communications sources such as satellite phones and radios, communicating with local and state emergency response organizations, and securing outside material and equipment around the plant sites, the release also stated.
Back-up diesel-powered generators are available to provide electricity to plant safety systems if power from outside sources is lost. In addition, in the event of a loss of offsite power, Indian Point is designed to safely shut down should it need to. Entergy Nuclear operators at each s have ensured sufficient diesel generator fuel and water as part of preparations to deal with an extended loss of off-site power in the event that damage to area transmission lines interrupts that power source.
Under severe weather procedures, plant operators monitoring area wind speeds may actually take precautionary actions to begin shutting the plant down prior to those winds reaching the site.
Earlier this week tremors from the earthquake in Virginia were felt throughout the New York area. Indian Point’s two operating units, two and three, remained online and continued to operate at full power.
“Minor shaking was felt in some areas of the site. Site staff conducted “walk-downs” to inspect equipment. No damage has been reported,” Indian Point representatives said on Tuesday following the earthquake.
Entergy also owns Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Massachusetts and Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vermont in the Northeast region.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.