The issue of groundwater contamination at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant was the subject of a roundtable discussion at Pace University Friday.

The meeting was sponsored by the environmental group Clearwater. Various experts on nuclear power and the environment spoke about the impact the leaks of radioactive contamination are having on the area surrounding the plant. Among those taking part was Congressman John Hall (D-19th District), who wants an independent safety assessment of Indian Point before its licenses are renewed. Hall points to the fact that the plant lies in a heavily populated area.

Notably absent from the roundtable was Entergy, the owners of Indian Point. According to Entergy spokesman Jim Steets, the company?s experts were told they could observe, but not participate. Clearwater says that is not the case. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission did send an observer, but the agency says it did not have the resources available to answer the wide range of questions expected during the session.