A report from an environmental group suggests Indian Point threatens drinking water for millions of people. Our John Wagner has more.

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- In the United States, 49 million Americans get their drinking water from sources within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. A study released Tuesday by Environment New York says that news is not easy to swallow.

"This simply is too big of a cost,” said Eric Whalen, Field Organizer of environment New York. “The danger is too close to home."

The drinking water for more than 11 million residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut sits within 50 miles of the Indian Point nuclear facility. The group Environment New York says just the possibility of one disaster or accident like Fukushima's meltdown in Japan is enough reason to give up on nuclear power.

"It would increase the incidents of cancer and cause untold health impacts and genetic defects," Whalen said.

“The risk is real. There's no plan to address this risk, but the good news is we don't have to address it, we can shut Indian Point down and transition to safer cleaner power within the next five years and we can do it affordably," said Phillip Musegaas, Riverkeeper, Hudson River Director.

But officials from Indian Point say comparisons to Fukushima are inaccurate and misleading and that the nuclear plant is much better prepared to handle the worst of any natural disasters.

"We’re designed to withstand twice the highest level of flooding that's ever been seen on the Hudson River. We’re designed to withstand an earthquake one hundred times greater than the worst that's ever been experienced at this location," said Jerry Nappi, spokesperson for Entergy.

The study recommends that the United States move to a future without nuclear energy by retiring existing plants and expanding clean, renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, but officials at Indian Point are hopeful the plant will continue churning out power.

"The federal government has stated that from an equipment standpoint, Indian Point can operate safely for another 20 years, so we feel confident that we will ultimately receive license renewal," Nappi said.

"I'm sure if you would have interviewed folks at Fukushima before the disaster, they would tell you they are prepared for any situation. Unfortunately, the bottom line is whenever we have nuclear power plants is does pose a threat to drinking water supplies and people within that range," Whalen said.

As Indian Point moves toward hearings for a 20 year permit to continue supplying a quarter of New York City's power, critics will keep the debate over nuclear energy flowing.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the nuclear disaster in Japan, federal regulators Tuesday released a study of new seismic hazards in the United States, as part of a comprehensive nationwide review of nuclear plant safety.

Indian Point is not mentioned specifically in the study and officials at the plant say drastic changes likely will not be needed.

Entergy, the company that operates Indian Point, released this statement, saying, “It is believed that no major change will occur to the results of the seismic analysis done earlier that demonstrates Indian Point's current seismic protections are sufficient."