ML031270297
| ML031270297 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  (DPR-026, DPR-064) |
| Issue date: | 05/02/2003 |
| From: | Engel E, Hinchey M, Lowey N US Congress |
| To: | Diaz N NRC/Chairman |
| Shared Package | |
| ML031320196 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2006-0299, G20030225, LTR-03-0269 | |
| Download: ML031270297 (4) | |
Text
EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM:
DUE: 05/14/03 Representative Eliot L. Engel Representative Nita M. Lowey Representative Maurice D. Hinchey EDO CONTROL: G20030225 DOC DT: 05/02/03 FINAL REPLY:
TO:
Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF :
- GRN CRC NO: 03-0269 Chairman Diaz DESC:
ROUTING:
Effectiveness of Emergency Evacuation Plans for the Region Around th Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants DATE: 05/05/03 Travers Paperiello Kane Norry Dean Burns/Cyr Collins, NRR Zimmerman, NSIR ASSIGNED TO:
RI CONTACT:
Miller SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
Coordinate response with NRR and NSIR.
re-p (Or,&. SeCvyo l I 6"b,* -saps I
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: May 05, 2003 08:48 PAPER NUMBER:
ACTION OFFICE:
LTR-03-0269 EDO LOGGING DATE: 05/05/2003 AUTHOR:
AFFILIATION:
ADDRESSEE:
SUBJECT:
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
LETTER DATE:
ACKNOWLEDGED SPECIAL HANDLING:
Eliot Engel REP Nils Diaz Concerns the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans for the region around the Indian Point nuclear power plants Signature of Chairman RF, OCA to Ack 05/02/2003 No Rep. Nita Lowey Rep. Maurice Hinchey NOTES:
Commission Correspondence FILE LOCATION:
Adams DATE DUE:
05/16/2003 DATE SIGNED:
EDO -- G20030225
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05/02/2003 14:59 FAX GANUN 4110
~ongress of tde Uniteb Stated pouge of 3&epre~entattbet Musbington, OC 20515 May 2, 2003 Nils J Diaz, PhD dChairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555
Dear Chairman Diaz:
We are writing to express our disappointment with FEMA's determination not to issue a decision expected today on the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans for the region around the Indian Point nuclear power plant.
As you may know, FEMA and New York State agreed that May 2,2003 would be the deadline for FEMA to decide whether the offsite emergency evacuation plans were adequate to ensure the safety of the 20 million people living within 50 miles of the plant. Indeed, on Fbbruary 21, 2003 FEMA announced that unless the regional emergency plans were updated by May 2, it could not provide a "final recommendation of reasonable assurance that the county and state officials can take appropriate measures" in the event of a castophe at Indian Point. Yet, today, May 2d, FEMA has stated that it will not issue a decision regarding the adequacy of the evacuation plans, continuing to leave 20 million people in jeopardy.
We understand that a Memorandum of Understanding exists between the NRC and FEMA stating that FEMA is responsible for nuclear power plants' offsite emergency evacuation plans. That being said, it is not written anywhere in either agencies' regulations that the NRC cannot at without a determination from FEMA. In this case, since FEMA was not able to provide reasonable assurance that the emergency evacuation plans are adequate earlier in the year and has not been able to render reasonable assurance by the agreed upon deadline, we believe that it is time for the NRC to start reviewiWg the plan on its own.
Il As the Witt report conluded, the emergency evacuation plan cannot be improved. As a result, the existence of Indian Point poses an unacceptable risk to our constituents. We believe that the NRC must take action now because keeping the plant open without an adequate evacuation plan may contradict the NRC's own rules and regulations.
i PAew OK MOMx PAPFA
05/02/2003 14:59 FAX I
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II Ii Thank you for your consideration of our request Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel
&Nita
. Lowey Mac D. Hinclie y
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