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For Immediate Release
February 12, 2007 |
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Hall, Lowey, Engel,
Hinchey and Shays Announce Bill to Require Indian Point ISA
or Face Shut Down in 2013
Washington, D.C. -- Today Representative John
Hall (NY) joined by Representatives Nita Lowey (NY), Eliot
Engel (NY), Maurice Hinchey (NY) and Christopher Shays (CT)
will introduce legislation that will require an Independent
Safety Assessment (ISA) of the Indian Point Energy Center
(IPEC) within six months. The bill will go beyond previous
legislation to require the plant to comply with the ISA recommendations
or be denied a license extension in 2013. The standard for
compliance will go beyond standard Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) review for re-licensing to create a more in depth assessment
of potential problems with the Indian Point Energy Center.
The bill will also establish the composition of a 25 member
ISA team and a five member Citizens Review Team to ensure
public accountability. The bill is also specifically targeted
at Indian Point and does not apply to other facilities.
“Indian Point is the nation’s most problematic
power plant in the nation’s most densely populated corridor,
Hall said, “With 8% of the population of the United
States within a 50 mile radius of the plant, our bill forces
the NRC to give this plant the special attention it requires.
This bill will force Entergy to do what it takes to run Indian
Point safely or they won’t be able to run it at all.”
Lowey said, “No matter how many safety and operational
malfunctions occur at Indian Point, the NRC refuses to execute
a comprehensive analysis of safety and security measures at
the plants. Local residents deserve assurance that everything
possible is being done to secure this facility. Until NRC
takes action to ensure the safety of our communities, my colleagues
and I will fight to force NRC to perform an ISA at Indian
Point.”
Engel said, “In the absence of any real enforcement
by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding Indian Point’s
offenses, an Independent Safety Assessment is a vital step
in assuring that the employees, the residents of the immediate
area, and indeed the whole metropolitan area are kept safe.
Radioactive waste is leaking from Indian Point and Entergy
cannot find the source of that leak. Now radioactive waste
is being found in fish in the Hudson River. This is unacceptable.”
Hinchey said, "It's pretty clear that the vast majority
of New York residents are troubled about the safety of Indian
Point and unfortunately those concerns are not unwarranted.
From trouble with alarms at the plant to known leaks of radioactive
material, Indian Point is not functioning properly, which
is why we need a comprehensive Independent Safety Assessment.
This measure is improved from the one we introduced last year
and will help identify the steps we need to take to help safeguard
New Yorkers from the nuclear power plant that is their neighbor."
Shays said, "Indian Point's location near highly populated
areas means we have to go the extra mile to ensure it is safe.
This legislation will ensure that if Indian Point continues
to run, it meets strict safety standards and is continually
monitored."
The bill would:
- Requires the completion of an Independent Safety Assessment
at IPEC within 6 months of passage
- Requires the ISA to be completed and any recommended repairs
or actions to be fully implemented prior to NRC renewal
of IPEC’s license.
- Requires the NRC and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
to complete a detailed evaluation of the radiological emergency
plan for Indian Point.
- Specifies that the ISA will be conducted by a 25 member
team composed of 16 NRC officials not from NRC Region 1,
6 independent contractors, and three NYS appointees.
- Specifies that the ISA will be monitored by a 4 member
ISA Observation Group appointed by NY State, as well as
a Citizens’ Review Team composed of five individuals
appointed by NY, with one resident from each Emergency Planning
Zone county.
- Authorizes $10 million to carry out the ISA.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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