POWERING DOWN

As Indian Point Goes Off-Line, New Work Begins

by Marilyn Elie

Photo: Marilyn Elie

We can all breathe a sigh of relief next spring when the last working reactor at Indian Point powers down. The 20 million people within a 50-mile radius of the 40-year-old nuclear generator can sleep more soundly, and future generations will thank us for no longer producing high-level radioactive waste that will bedevil the country and our community for years to come.

While nuclear energy has long been marketed as the “clean” alternative to fossil fuels, the fact is that anything that is manufactured has a carbon footprint. Nuclear power is low carbon, not carbon free. When calculating the true carbon footprint of any fuel, you must look at the entire fuel cycle, from cradle to grave—or, for nuclear power, from uranium mining to disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

Our goal must be sustainable energy. The best definition of that is from former Norwegian Prime Minister Harlem Brundtland: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Decommissioning Indian Point

What’s next for Indian Point? Decommissioning. This means cleaning up the property in a prompt, safe manner and returning it to a greenfield that can be safely reused. Rapid decommissioning could take 12 to 15 years, but it must be done securely.

A major obstacle to this process is the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) gas pipeline, which runs next to the spent fuel building. The threat of a possible rupture and explosion engulfing the spent fuel pool must be taken into account.

Unfortunately the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not have authority over the complete process. Holtec is in line to do the decommissioning, and therein lies yet another problem. Holtec is a big international corporation based in New Jersey, with an unsavory business reputation. The company was embroiled in a well-documented bribery conviction, later lying about it under oath while seeking a $260 million tax break from the State of New Jersey.

Despite the fact that Holtec is lobbying hard in Congress for centralized interim storage in New Mexico, the irradiated fuel rods will remain on site indefinitely, as current law requires. It is estimated that when all the fuel rods are in dry casks, they will take up the area of approximately two football fields. Moving this high-level radioactive waste to contaminate another community that doesn’t want it is undemocratic at best, and some would say immoral.

Our Future

New York is poised to make great strides in decarbonizing its economy through the recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We now have laws in place that set goals and ways to obtain them. Soon we will have maps of our communities’ carbon footprints so that we can work to reduce them.

People in different regions of our state are meeting now and figuring out how to meet the high goals set by this law. As these groups reach out to others in their communities, hopefully many New Yorkers will look for an opportunity to participate.

To hear the voices of people from other reactor communities as well as those of New York experts on the problems and solutions we are all facing at Indian Point, see the 2020 Virtual Regional Decommissioning Forum on YouTube or on the Clearwater website.

Fossil fuels and uranium must remain in the ground if we’re going to avoid ever-worsening aspects of climate change. We cannot continue on our regular path if we are to hand over a livable planet to future generations.

Marilyn Elie is co-founder of Westchester Citizens Awareness Network and a member of the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, a coalition of grassroots and environmental organizations in the Hudson Valley dedicated to the closing of Indian Point and its safe and timely decommissioning. For more information, call Elie at 914.954.6739 or visit ipsecinfo.org.

The Benefits of Planting Trees

More Foliage Means Lower Temperatures

Planting more trees can slow down climate change. Science magazine reports, “The restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation.” The Arbor Day celebrations this month make it an apt time for taking actions that benefit both urban areas and open spaces.

More than 166,000 square miles of forest habitat—approximately the size of California—in the tropics and subtropics have been decimated in the last 13 years, and about 2.7 million square miles of forest worldwide remain threatened, according to a recent study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Some major ways to take action include: Avoid buying products linked to deforestation. Pressure lawmakers to make supply chains sustainable while balancing the need for regulation with the concerns of farmers and businesses. Urge policymakers to enact zero-deforestation policies and bolster the rights and control of forests for local communities and indigenous people, says the WWF. Donate spare change. By joining Plant Your Change for All (PlantYourChange.com), all debit or credit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and the balance applied toward planting trees. Working together with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) (ArborDay.org) and Eden Reforestation Projects, the initiative has already planted more than 3 million trees, offsetting 5 million miles of vehicle carbon emissions. Become a member of the ADF and receive 10 free trees, along with tree nursery discounts; help to qualify a community to receive the Tree City USA designation; or get involved with National Arbor Day, generally celebrated on the last Friday in April, but observed on different days in some states. The organization’s website includes ideas for conducting virtual celebrations if local chapters are not holding public events due to the pandemic. Also consider participating in other ADF programs such as the Alliance for Community Trees and NeighborWoods Month. Support the planting of city trees. According to a recent study from the U.S. Forest Service thanamatAdobestock.com reported in Treehugger.com, the nation’s urban canopies, currently home to approximately 5.5 billion trees, provide roughly $18 billion in annual benefits via the removal of pollution from the air, carbon sequestration, reduced emissions and improved energy efficiency in buildings.

Forests are the lungs of our land.

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Big Rock Market

Big Rock Market Hosts Farmers and Makers Fair on April 24

Big Rock Market, a farmers-market-type store located in the historic Campbell House, in the heart of Stanfordville, is one business that’s grown over the past year—a trend that has allowed it to lower its prices and carry a wider variety of produce, dairy, meat, baked goods and pantry items. As light appears at the end of the pandemic tunnel, Big Rock will celebrate on April 24 with a socially distanced Farmers and Makers Fair, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adele Craven, general manager of Big Rock Market, says the event is an opportunity for people in the community to meet and talk with the farmers and makers who provide the store with fresh goods and crafts.

“You’ll learn about the other things these awesome community members do that you may not realize,” she says. “You can also pick up locally grown organic seedlings and flowers to start your garden.”

The fair will be held on the store’s front lawn. All Covid guidelines will be followed, and masks will be mandatory at all times, both on the lawn and in the store, which will be open its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Big Rock’s commitment to the community’s well-being likely comes as no surprise to its loyal customers, who frequent the store for its conscientiously sourced offerings. According to Craven, the store’s produce is local, organic and fair trade whenever possible; its dairy, meat and produce are carefully selected from Hudson Valley farmers; and its baked goods, pantry items, freshcut flowers and handmade crafts are staples in many up-state country homes.

“Here at Big Rock, we support our local farms and our community by linking the two—and providing a nourishing environment for all,” she says.

Location: Big Rock Market’s Farmers and Makers Fair, 6031 NY Route 82, Stanfordville, NY. New store hours for 2021 are Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more info call 845.868.3320 or visit BigRockMarketny.com.

Hudson Valley Farmers Market Keeps Going and Growing

Life has changed a bit since Covid, but the Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market has remained open almost all last year, with safety precautions in place. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, year-round (weather Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market permitting). It features live music most weekends.

“We normally would have been inside for the cold-weather months, but this year, in order to maintain safe space, we stayed open outside,” says Melissa Kamin, market manager and director of community relations. “We’ve enjoyed the support of a core group of vendors selling essential products to the community. We’re starting to grow the market in preparation for warmer weather, and we’re welcoming inquiries from vendors to join our market family.” Current vendors include Aueralia’s Organic Garden, offering handmade breads, chocolate, lip balm and soaps; Kas Spirits, off erKas Spirits, off erKas Spirits, offering spiced honey liquor; Orchard Hill Organics Produce and

Handmade breads Fruits; Sharamel Baked Goods; Mike The Cheese Guy, with M & M Italian Provisions; Hudson Valley Petals; and MG Treats, offering homemade dog biscuits.

Other current vendors include Sacred Grounds Organic Coffee Roasters; Andrew Wilkinson Microgreens, with Hudson Valley Vinegars and Hudson Valley Cold-Pressed Oils; Do Re Me Farms; South Salem Winery; Bar; South Salem Winery; BarBarBartolo’s Keto and Italian Gourmet Prepared Foods; General Cochran Andrew Wilkinson’s Meat and Dairy; and Live In Joy Microgreens Candle Co.

The market is run and operated by Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association. It is closed on some holidays, including Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Location: 15 Mount Ebo Road South, Brewster, NY. For more info visit HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.org.

Find more Farmers Markets in our calendar.

Foodie Guide

CAFES

CHAKRA BOWLS CAFÉ

33 Arlington Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.849.0399 chakraBowlsCafe.com

GOOD CHOICE KITCHEN

147 Main St., Ossining NY 914.266.3003 goodchoicekitchen.com

THE FREIGHT HOUSE CAFÉ

609 Route 6, Mahopac NY 845.628.1872 thefreighthousecafe.com

COFFEE

COFFEE LABS ROASTERS

Order beans online/ship home 7 Main St., Tarrytown, NY 914.332.1479; coffeelabs.com

FARMERS’ MARKETS

GOSSETT’S FARM MARKET

& Gossett Brothers Nursery 1202 Rt.35, South Salem, NY 914.763.3001; Gossettnursery.com

HUDSON VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

Greig Farm, 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 914.474.2404 Facebook.com/ HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.

HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET

Sundays, 10am-2pm 15 Mount Ebo Road South Brewster, NY

with Natural

FOOD

FARM STORE

Z FARMS ORGANIC

Open Every Day 355 Poplar Hill Rd. Dover Plains, NY 917.319.6414 ZFarmsOrganic.com

NEW

FARMS

FABLE: FROM FARM TO TABLE

1311 Kitchawan Rd, Ossining, NY Sat & Sun 9am-4pm FableFoods.com

HARVEST MOON FARM & ORCHARD

130 Hardscrabble Rd North Salem, NY 914.485.1210 HarvestMoonFarmAndOrchard.com

HILLTOP HANOVER FARM & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY 914.962.2368 HilltopHanoverFarm.org

THREE FEATHERS FARM

Grass-fed beef & eggs 371 Smith Ridge Rd, S. Salem 914.533.6529; threefeathers.farm MARKETS

BIG ROCK MARKET

Open 6 days a week 6031 RT 82,Stanfordville NY 845.868.3320 BigRockMarketNY.com

GREENS NATURAL FOODS

Briarcliff Manor 97 North State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 914.800.9146 Eastchester 780 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 914.874.5481 Mt. Kisco 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.864.1274 Somers 57 Rte. 6. (in Baldwin Place) Somers, NY 10505 914.485.8093 GreensNaturalFoods.com

GREEN ORGANIC MARKET

275 S. Central Park Ave. Hartsdale, NY 914.437.5802 FB: GreenOrganicMarket VEGAN

SKINNY BUDDHA ORGANIC KITCHEN

159 Lexington Ave., Mt. Kisco 914.358.1666 MySkinnyBuddha.com

Cucumber Rounds w/ Herb Cashew Cream Cheese and “Lox” Appetizers at Skinny Buddha

JUICE

DRINK LIVING JUICE

7(1/2) servings in one serving of green juice to go. 914.763.6320; DrinkLivingJuice.com

Gift certificates available!

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

575 Boston Post Rd, Port Chester, NY 914.708.1985 1 Ridge Hill Rd, Yonkers, NY 914.378.8090 110 Bloomingdale Rd, White Plains, NY 914.288.1300 WholeFoodsMarket.com

To place your business listing on this page call 845-593-0065

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