ML031360119

LTR-03-0307 - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Ltr. Express Concern with Federal Emergency Management Administration'S (FEMA) Delay in Decision Regarding Effectiveness of Emergency Response Plans for Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

ML031360119
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	05/03/2003
From:	Clinton H US SEN (Senate)
To:	Picciano J NRC/EDO, NRC/OCM, NRC Region 1, NRC/SECY, Federal Emergency Management Agency
References
FOIA/PA-2008-0157, FOIA/PA-2008-0174, LTR-03-0307
Download: ML031360119 (3)

Text

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printel:Aay 14, 2003 10.26 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-03-0307 LOGGING DATE: 05/14/2003 ACTION OFFICE: EDO E,--c : ,%(ler,/ 1-AUTHOR: Hilliary Clinton DEDM AFFILIATION: SEN aDM ADDRESSEE: Joseph Picciano UrX s I?

SUBJECT:

Express concern with the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) delay in its decision regarding the effectiveness of the emergency response plans for the Indian Point nuclear power plant.....

ACTION: Information DISTRIBUTION: RF LETTER DATE: 05/03/2003 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING:

NOTES: cc: Chairman Diaz FILE LOCATION: Adams DATE DUE: DATE SIGNED:

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HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON NEWYORK SENATOR RUSSELL SENATEOFFICE BUILDING SUITE474 WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3204 202-224-4451nid 01tae WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3204 May 2, 2003 Mr. Joseph F. Picciano Acting Regional Director Federal Emergency Management Agency Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278

Dear Mr. Picciano:

I am writing to express my concern with the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA's) delay in its decision regarding the effectiveness of the emergency response plans for the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan, New York. I feel strongly that continued and open-ended delay is unacceptable on an issue this critical. I would therefore like to request that FEMA immediately provide me with information on what steps have been or are being taken to ensure that the safety of those around the plant is being adequately protected.

I would also'iike7to'be'kgiveri a dat'e'certain' on which FE4A will render its decision regarding the effectiveness of the em'efency resp'nse plans. ' -' I

-. :In your February 21, 2003'letter to'the New'York State Emergency Management Office, you stated, f the State of New York, as previously requested, can provide updated plan's on or before May 2, 2003, then this decision will be re-evaluated. If, in the event the State is unable to do so, in my capacity as'Acting "Rei6nafDirector, I will proceed with advising.FEMA headquarters that I'canriot provide a recommendtion of,reasonable,assurance that the State and local plans are"adea teealth,and'safety o ublic. . In,this event, FEMA headquarters'would notifythe Nuclear dgulatoryCominin' In thovemo oAN York State of the decision." I a m o

-- -- I now understand that rather than adhering to the process laid out in your previous letter, FEMA intends to further delay any decision with respect to the emergency response plans until some undetermined, future date. It would seem that the more than two months that were already granted for;the gathering' of additiohal information should have been more than adequate, and that the tirne has'co n'eto 'ale the neces'sary and appiropri e steps , o,ensre adequacy of these emergency response plans. The fa'milies that live, work, and.send their children to school around th6-Indian P6ini nuclear facility' deserve no less. -

The State of New York took the positive step 'ofhiring an outside consultant, Witt Associates, to conduct a comprehensive and independent review of emergency preparedness for the areas of New York State around the Indian Point nuclear power plant. The report found that overall, flie cien't response'system 'a'nd capabilities are not adequate. These findings should be taken'seriously anhou1d be addressed,and I urge FEMA to take'the necessary' steps to do so.

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Page 2 Thank you for your consideration of this matter. I am prepared to provide any assistance that may be useful in moving this process forward as quickly as possible and ensuring that the health and safety of the communities around Indian Point are adequately protected. I look forward to receiving your response to my inquiries in a timely manner.

Sincerely yours, Hillary Ro Clinton CC: The Honorable Mike Brown Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response Umiied -S ates -DEp-arFtfi6n OIf H6me6aa -Securty Dr. Nils J. Diaz Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission