ML031270297

G20030225/LTR-03-0269 - Rep. Eliot L. Engel, Rep. Nita Lowey and Rep. Maurice Hinchey Ltr Effectiveness of Emergency Evacuation Plans for the Region Around the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants

ML031270297
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	05/02/2003
From:	Engel E, Hinchey M, Lowey N US Congress
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
Shared Package
ML031320196	List: ML031270297
References
FOIA/PA-2006-0299, G20030225, LTR-03-0269
Download: ML031270297 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 05/14/03 EDO CONTROL: G20030225 DOC DT: 05/02/03 FINAL REPLY:

Representative Eliot L. Engel Representative Nita M. Lowey Representative Maurice D. Hinchey TO:

Chairman Diaz FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** GRN ** CRC NO: 03-0269 Chairman Diaz DESC: ROUTING:

Effectiveness of Emergency Evacuation Plans for Travers the Region Around th Indian Point Nuclear Power Paperiello Plants Kane Norry Dean Burns/Cyr DATE: 05/05/03 Collins, NRR Zimmerman, NSIR ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT:

RI Miller SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

Coordinate response with NRR and NSIR.

re-p(Or,& . SeCvyo lI 6"b,*-saps I

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed: May 05, 2003 08:48 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-03-0269 LOGGING DATE: 05/05/2003 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: Eliot Engel AFFILIATION: REP ADDRESSEE: Nils Diaz

SUBJECT:

Concerns the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans for the region around the Indian Point nuclear power plants ACTION: Signature of Chairman DISTRIBUTION: RF, OCA to Ack LETTER DATE: 05/02/2003 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Rep. Nita Lowey Rep. Maurice Hinchey NOTES: Commission Correspondence FILE LOCATION: Adams DATE DUE: 05/16/2003 DATE SIGNED:

EDO -- G20030225

. .,^t, ^ . 0_ 002 GANUN 4110 05/02/2003 14:59 FAX

~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:

not to issue a We are writing to express our disappointment with FEMA's determination for the region decision expected today on the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans around the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

would be the As you may know, FEMA and New York State agreed that May 2,2003were adequate to plans deadline for FEMA to decide whether the offsite emergency evacuation plant. Indeed, on ensure the safety of the 20 million people living within 50 miles of the plans were updated by Fbbruary 21, 2003 FEMA announced that unless the regional emergency that the county and May 2, it could not provide a "final recommendation of reasonable assurance Indian Point. Yet, at state officials can take appropriate measures" in the event of a castophe the adequacy of the today, May 2d, FEMA has stated that it will not issue a decision regarding evacuation plans, continuing to leave 20 million people in jeopardy.

the NRC and We understand that a Memorandum of Understanding exists between offsite emergency evacuation FEMA stating that FEMA is responsible for nuclear power plants' regulations that the NRC plans. That being said, it is not written anywhere in either agencies' to cannot at without a determination from FEMA. In this case, since FEMA was not able are adequate earlier in the year provide reasonable assurance that the emergency evacuation plans upon deadline, we believe and has not been able to render reasonable assurance by the agreed that it is time for the NRC to start reviewiWg the plan on its own.

plan cannot be improved. As a Il As the Witt report conluded, the emergency evacuation constituents. We believe result, the existence of Indian Point poses an unacceptable risk to our open without an adequate that the NRC must take action now because keeping the plant evacuation plan may contradict the NRC's own rules and regulations.

PAew OK MOMx PAPFA i

CANON 3175 l 003 05/02/2003 14:59 FAX I I i

I I

I Thank you for your consideration of our request i Sincerely, Mac D. Hinclie y Eliot L. Engel &Nita . Lowey I