Business digest

NY debate: What if aging nuclear plant closes? BUCHANAN — Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s apparent resolve to close the Indian Point Nuclear power plant near has fired a debate over how to replace the power that would be lost. A New York City study warns that consumers would pay more, the reliability of the power grid would suffer and air pollution would increase. But state officials say replacement power will be in place before licenses expire for the two Indian Point reactors in 2013 and 2015. Indian Point provides about a quarter of the energy used by New York City and adjacent Westchester County. Cuomo says the plant is a safety risk because of its location in densely populated suburbs, 35 miles north of New York. Parts of the Orange County towns of Highlands, Tuxedo and Woodbury are included within the plant’s 10-mile evacuation radius. The decision is not entirely up to Cuomo but he has a weapon: a state water-use permit required for new licenses has already been withheld. Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has won a federal ruling that will require a stronger review of potential “severe accident” scenarios at the Indian Point plants. The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board says more analysis of how to deal with severe accidents is needed before the plant can be relicensed. Plant operator Entergy Corp. must either upgrade to improve emergency response and control or provide a compelling reason why that’s not needed. Jim Steets, spokesman for the New Orleans-based company, said that Entergy felt its current analysis of severe emergency possibilities was enough. Now he says the issue will be discussed as part of the relicensing process in the fall. County Clerk’s Office processes U.S. Passports GOSHEN — Orange County Clerk Donna L. Benson reminds residents that the County Clerk’s Office at the Government Center in Goshen, 255 Main St., processes routine, priority and expedited applications for U.S. Passports and Passport Cards, Monday through Friday during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours every Wednesday evening until 7:30 p.m. No appointment is needed, and photos may also be taken at the Clerk’s Business Office. “It’s not just for far away travel,” said Benson. “U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport or passport card when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.” For detailed information on application requirements and fees, call the Orange County Clerk’s Passport Office at 291-2698, 291-2699 or visit the County Clerk’s Web site at www.orangecountygov.com or the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov. Community Blood Services and Renaissance Faire partner to save lives New Windsor — Donors will receive two complimentary tickets to the New York Renaissance Faire when they donate blood or platelets from Tuesday, July 26 through Friday, July 29 at Community Blood Services’ New York or New Jersey donor centers. Community Blood Services and the New York Renaissance Faire will continue its partnership of more than a decade by offering complimentary tickets to the faire as a thank you to volunteer blood donors. In New York, donors can donate at the New Windsor center, 575 Hudson Valley Ave., Suite 206 on Tuesday, July 26 from 1 to 5 p.m. or Wednesday, July 27 from 1 to 6:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 866-228-1500 or visit: www.communitybloodservices.com. Locally shot film to be shown at Manhattan festival Chester — “Under Jakob’s Ladder,” an independent film shot in Chester, will be shown at the Manhattan Film Festival on Sunday and Monday, July 24 and 25. The story is set in Eastern Europe at the time of the World War II. Based on a true-life story, the main character, Jakob Seel, is caught in the middle of what turns out to be a deadly game of chess. His opponent is the head of the prison with a decades old score to settle. The movie features Chloe Roe in the role of Jakob’s granddaughter, Marta. Chloe’s film grandfather is played by established British actor, Jeff Stewart. Because filming primarily took place in the Chester area, producer Roberto Munoz sought locals to serve as background actors. “We got a great group of people to populate our film’s world,” said Munoz. “We’re glad to get so much community support for the film. Not only the people, but places like Museum Village.” Both July 25 screenings have already sold out. Tickets are $12 and are still on sale for the 7:30 p.m. screening on Sunday, July 24. For more information about the film, or to get tickets, visit www.underjakobsladder.com.