Letter to the Editor: Save the Hudson

(The following letter was submitted by Deborah Porder of Lawrence Road)

Dear Trustees and Mayor Arest,

Many municipalities in Westchester have passed resolutions condemning the Holtec entities' plan to dump radioactive spent fuel from the Indian Point nuclear power plant into the Hudson River. Holtec has said that it will begin dumping as early as next month. Read this article and watch the video from Lohud about it.

The Hudson River flows into the Croton Reservoir that provides water to Westchester and New York City. The radioactive water will evaporate and rain on Scarsdale. Some of our neighbors in Westchester get their drinking water directly from the Hudson River.

The Holtec entities want to dump the toxic chemicals in the Hudson to save money. The rate payers footed the bill, paying more for electricity, for Holtec to shut down the nuclear reactor and clean up the Indian Point site. Under the plan, Holtec can keep any money it doesn't spend on the clean up. I believe that Holtec wants to dump because it's the cheapest alternative. Protecting public health costs money.

The radioactive chemical waste from Indian Point can cause bone cancer and leukemia. It is especially harmful to children and fetuses. It causes genetic defects. Holtec is planning to start dumping before it gets test results back showing what is in the spent fuel. Please watch this video that confirms that Holtec will dump before it receives test results.

The NY State Legislature passed a bi-partisan Save the Hudson bill S6893/A7208 that would ban dumping radioactive waste into the Hudson. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and by a wide margin in the Assembly. Governor Hochul hasn't signed it and time is running out.

I live in a neighborhood full of vulnerable children and families. I am ashamed that my Village, unlike many other municipalities in Westchester, has not taken a stand on this imminent threat to the health of its citizens.

Please pass a resolution against Holtec's dumping and urging Governor Hochul to sign the Save The Hudson bill.

Kind Regards,

Deborah Porder
46 Lawrence Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Home: (914) 725-6393
Cell: (914) 419-1044