TARRYTOWN – A three-judge panel will conduct what amounts to a ‘preliminary hearing’, beginning Monday. The environmental group Riverkeeper says it has five key issues it will argue should be allowed in the formal hearings that will come later.

During an afternoon teleconference, Riverkeeper staff attorney Phillip Musegaas conceded they are not overly optimistic, given the perception that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission tends to be “friendly” to the nuclear power industry.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine which contentions may be admitted to the formal hearing process, and which interested party will have standing with that issue.

Musegaas said that bringing five main contentions to the floor, dealing generally with Entergy’s management of ‘aging’ at the 40-year-old plant, safety issues in the event of accident or attack, and the environmental impact on the Hudson River.

The hearing begins Monday in a White Plains federal courtroom, and is open to the public, but it is not a ‘public hearing’ so no public input will be taken. Westchester County and New York state are scheduled for the first day. Riverkeeper expects to be called to the stand Tuesday.

The hearing is expected to run at least a full week. A decision on admissible issues should come in perhaps 45 days. Appeals are possible.

The formal arguments on whether Indian Point should be granted a new license, in 2013, are not expected until perhaps late 2009.