New York nuclear plant Oil Leak makes Perilous Journey into Hudson River

The fear of possible contamination of Hudson River, following the Indian Point nuclear power plant transformer fire has surfaced, as it is reported that the explosion on Saturday did leave oil slick into the river.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed on Sunday that while the transformer fire in itself was not dangerous, it did release thousands of gallons of oil into the Hudson River. Governor Cuomo also informed that the emergency crews near Buchanan are trying to contain and clean up the transformer fluid that leaked from Indian Point 3 into the river. The affected part of a nuclear plant remained offline on Sunday.

The leakage has raised an alarm as this nuclear power plant is located just 40 miles upriver from New York City. Also, it supplies electricity for millions of homes, businesses and public facilities in New York City and Westchester County.

Neil Sheehan, Spokesman, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission told that although the fire suppression system at the plant actively worked and automatically sprayed water on the transformer fire, the oil made its way to the Hudson river via the discharge drains from a holding tank that overflowed. The damaged transformer contained 80,000 gallons of oil but the quantity that has leaked is not yet ascertained.

The owner of the plant, Entergy Corp has started the cleanup process. Jerry Nappi, Entergy spokesman stated that the reactor itself was deemed safe and stable and the Unit 2 reactor of the plant was not affected and remained in operation.

Joseph Martens, Commissioner, State Department of Environmental Protection said that booms have been set up over an area about 300 feet in diameter in the water in order to prevent the oil from spreading.

The accident has yet again exposed the hazardous effects of nuclear technology and has renewed calls for the nuclear power plants to be closed down.