WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. June 17, 2005: This week, County Executive Andy Spano made public the Levitan & Associates reported $400,000 study on the feasibility of Westchester County buying Indian Point from Entergy.

The study, to make a 200-page study short, said "We estimate such compensation to range from $1.8 Billion to $2.7 Billion, assuming a two-to-three year condemnation process beginning in 2005. Acquisition would also sadde the condemnor with $241 million of spent nuclear fuel costs and nuclear decommissioning risks. However, the high cost of license extension presents a window of opportunity. Since we (Levitan) estimate that cooling tower construction will take about three years, a consensual agreement reached before 2011 would allow Entergy to avoid the high incremental capital outlays yet continue to perate Indian Point through the end of the license terms. Compensation in this scenario would range from $0.5 Billion to $1.4 Billion, much less than the condemnation scenario."

Levitan suggests, and the County Executive endorsed this week a conversion plan described by Levitan this way: ..."retiring Indian Point will require a combined local, state, and federal effort that balances the rights of the plant owner with the public's mandate for security. A replacement gas-fired plant at the site is feasible and would offer advantages to all of the stakeholders. New York State, perhaps through the New York Power Authority, could support negotiations with Entergy and contribute to any arrangement for compensation and replacement generation."

What does Mr. & Mrs. & Ms. White Plains think? Shoud the county, state or whomever pay Entergy to convert to natural gas (bringing in a gas pipeline), or not? Or let the plant continue to operate as a nuclear plant? Vote in this week's new survey at the right by clicking on the circle indicating your choice and then clicking on "VOTE."