2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan orders NRC to seek public comment before approving exemptions to fire safety regulations at Entergy's Indian Point atomic reactors

Entergy pressurized water reactors in New York, Indian Point Units 2 & 3 near New York City, suffered a legal setback, as challenges to their 20-year license extensions continue. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that NRC cannot rubberstamp exemptions to fire protection regulations at Indian Point without providing the public with an opportunity to comment.

Demos issued a press release on the legal victory. Marilyn Elie, President of Plaintiff WestCan (Westchester County Citizens Action Network, a long-time Indian Point watchdog and member of the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, IPSEC) was quoted as saying "This is a victory for transparency in government and due process. It makes it possible for people to have a voice in important nuclear decisions in their community and helps hold the NRC accountable for protecting public health and safety, something it hasn't done in years."