40-Foot Gas Flare Will Be Part Of Indian Point Hazardous Materials Training Exercise

BUCHANAN, NY — It may look scary, but the excitement on the Hudson River has been planned for weeks.

The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, in collaboration with area fire departments, announced that they will be conducting a live training exercise at Indian Point on Saturday.

As part of the Hazardous Materials Team drill, a propane flare, potentially reaching 40 feet in height, will be safely ignited in the lower parking lot at the property. The flare may be visible to people near the plant or even across the river in Rockland County.

Safety officials want the public to know that this is only an exercise, and there is no emergency.

The training exercise is scheduled to take place between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. In addition to the Department of Emergency Services and its Hazardous Materials Team, participants include the Indian Point Energy Center, Paraco Gas, and officers from local fire departments.

The drill is part of ongoing training to improve response capabilities to a propane emergency, the Department of Emergency Services explained. The goal of Saturday's training is to give first responders the chance to practice key skills in realistic conditions.

The Department of Emergency Services says the exercise will involve transferring propane from an onsite propane tank to a Paraco Gas truck, and using water injection to remove residual gas from that onsite tank.