Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Virginia Nuclear Plant Shut Down After Earthquake, Indian Point Hums Along
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 23, 2011
Modified Aug 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 23, 2011
Modified Aug 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A nuclear power plant located 27 miles from the epicenter of today's earthquake in Mineral, Virginia has been shut down. Reuters reports that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission pulled the plug after the 5.8 magnitude earthquake, but another nuclear plant in Surry, Virginia, 103 miles from Mineral, remains operational. Indian Point, the nuclear power plant located 35 miles from New York City, "is operating normally" following today's earthquake, Entergy spokesman Jim Steets tells us.
"There hasn't been any impact at all," Steets says, "No damage has been done on site. Minor shaking was felt in some areas…we're double checking all the equipment to ensure there was no damage." Given the ongoing nuclear disaster at the Fukishima nuclear plant in Japan following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in March, it's natural to be concerned that Indian Point, which lies on two fault lines, is as safe as it should be.
A spokeswoman for Riverkeeper, a NY clean water advocacy group, Tina Posterli, tells us, "Today's 5.9 earthquake outside of Virginia brings home the urgency of why Indian Point's license should not be renewed." Despite the plant's civil engineer declaring, "We're designed for the worst-case scenario...even at 8.9, I wouldn't expect too much damage," Posterli points out that "Entergy's upcoming licensing hearing in February doesn't even address an earthquake or seismic risk."
Citing explosions at the plant, it's extremely disconcerting emergency evacuation plan, and its proximity to the city, Governor Cuomo has been pushing to shut the plant down. Which is ridiculous: we've got at LEAST another 670 years until we need to be worried.
Tagged
Cuomo
earthquake
entergy
fukushima
governor cuomo
indian point
japan
nuclear power
virginia
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?
Because they're raving about the little cake you can only get in first class on select trains, here are your early links: Hunting for Bigfoot is big in New Jersey, the East Village got a kitschy wedding chapel, "Slime Square-42 St," and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Brooklyn woman hit and killed by garbage truck at Bay Parkway, NYPD says
At a time of year when traffic deaths rise due to reduced visibility, 30-year-old Siobhan Lynch was struck and killed just after dusk.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Brooklyn woman hit and killed by garbage truck at Bay Parkway, NYPD says
At a time of year when traffic deaths rise due to reduced visibility, 30-year-old Siobhan Lynch was struck and killed just after dusk.
By
Ryan Kost
NY's housing crisis is on the ballot. Here's what the candidates say they'll do about it.
By
David Brand
Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway is a haven for reckless driving. Mamdani isn't allowed to fix it.
By
Stephen Nessen
NJ state police fatally shot man in Moonachie, officials said
By
Kaya Laterman
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .