ML050250172
| ML050250172 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 01/11/2005 |
| From: | Berliner R, Bierker G, Cornell H, Darden W, Fried D, Grant M, Jaffee E, Kronstadt D, Pradhan V, Reinaldo Rodriguez, Schoenberger I, Soskin P, Zebrowski K Rockland County, NY, Legislature |
| To: | Vanderhoef C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Rockland County, NY |
| References | |
| LTR-05-0037 | |
| Download: ML050250172 (8) | |
Text
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET Date Printed:Jan 21, 2005 09:30 PAPER NUMBER: LTR-05-0037 LOGGING DATE: 01/19/2005 ACTION OFFICE: EDO To:.m kMs-EDO AUTHOR: Ellen Jaffee 9Q DEDMRS NY DEDH AFFILIATION: DEDM C. Scott Vanderhoef AO ADDRESSEE:
SUBJECT:
Indian Point radiological emergency plan PRt ACTION: Information DISTRIBUTION: RF LETTER DATE: 01/11/2005 ACKNOWLEDGED No SPECIAL HANDLING: Made publicly available in ADAMS via SECY/EDO/DPC NOTES:
FILE LOCATION: ADAMS DATE DUE: DATE SIGNED:
The Legislature of Rockland County
- a liMr. Nils Diaz, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Reg. Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20S52 Januaryl 1, 2005 Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef Rockland County Executive 11 New Hempstead Road New City, New York 10956
Dear County Executive Vanderhoef:
Once again we strongly urge you to honor your responsibility for protecting public health and safety and withhold the submission of the County's Annual Certification Letter (ACL) for the Indian Point radiological emergency plan. There is substantial evidence that the emergency plan is inadequate to protect the public. As you are aware, the Witt Report (March 2003), which was commissioned by Governor Pataki, criticized virtually every aspect of the evacuation plans and concluded that the emergency plan for Indian Point was inadequate, key components unfixable and the region's high population density and excessive traffic congestion would only complicate evacuation for New Yorkers and residents from neighboring states.
The Witt study also found several other major flaws in the emergency plan, including the false assumption by FEMA and Indian Point's owners that parents would obey official orders to not pick up their children and instead allow school or camp officials to bus their children to reception centers in another area.
We agree that Rockland County has a superb and professional Department of Fire and Emergency Services. However, the Witt report makes it clear that even the best department could not respond to a mass evacuation, especially as it is presently proposed, given the circumstances and realities of the area.
Another major concern is the lack of confidence that emergency first responders have in the Indian Point emergency plan. In May 2003, 175 first responders, who will be on the front line in the event of a radiological emergency, signed onto a petition to FEMA and the NRC expressing their concern "that even their best efforts may not be enough to adequately protect the public health and safety of the citizens of this region."
The Rockland County Legislature - Allison-Parris County Office Building - 11 New Hernpstead Road - New City. New York 10956 Tel: (845)638-5100 Fax: (845) 638-5675
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 2 of 7 While the current emergency response plan is wholly inadequate to protect the public from any event beyond a minor radioactive release at Indian Point, we are in no way advocating abandonment of the plan. In the event of an actual emergency, we fully expect the County Executives to move swiftly to implement the existing plan for what it is worth.
Since January 2004 no material changes have been made to the radiological emergency preparedness plan (REPP). In fact, new evidence of failing Indian Point siren systems and the risk of losing power to these siren systems due to no battery back-up power has come to light.
As elected officials, we promise in our oath of office to protect the public's health and safety, and to tell the public the truth. As it has been acknowledged that there is no formal certification process, we should not continue the county's involvement in this certification charade. We believe that a reasonable and responsible course of action would be for you to exercise your leadership by refusing to affix your signature to the checklist of items and drills, which the Witt report notes "are designed to meet specific regulatory requirements, rather than effectively protect a population."
The lives of our residents, families, seniors, and especially our children, are threatened.
We sincerely hope that you will refuse to approve this first level of certification and join with the legislature in seeking the immediate closure, as well as the decommissioning of Indian Point. The risk from this form of power source clearly outweighs any possible benefit and we must therefore work towards developing a plan for renewable energy sources, conservation and fuel-efficient technologies for our county and the region at large.
Sincerely, Sincerely, ELLEN C. JAFFEE HARRIET D. CORNELL Legislator - District 12 Chairwoman, Rockland County Legislature
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 3 of 7 Sincerely, Sincerely, A_4 DENISE KRONSTADT ROBERT M. BERLINER Legislator - District 17 Legislator - District 6 Sincerely Sincerely GEROLD M. BIERKER WILLIAM L. DARDEN Legislator - District 9 Legislator - District 8 Sincerely, Sincerely, Gzz,.Z_.
/.
DAVID FRIED MJICHAEL GRANT Legislator - District 13 Legislator - District 2
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 4 of 7 Sincerely, Sincerely, VsJ pRDHAN VJ PRADHAN ROMAN RODRIGUEZ Legislator - District 14 Legislator - District 3 Sincerely, Sincerely, 4
ILAN S. SCHOENBERGER 41, 4
PHILIP SOSKIN "r IS."'i
' I Legislator - District 4 Legislator - District 7 Sincerely, KENNETH P. ZEBROWSKI Legislator - District 5
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 5 of 7 CC: Hon. George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500 Hon. Charles E. Schumer United States Senator 757 Third Ave., Suite 17-02 New York, New York 10017 Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton United States Senator 780 Third Avenue, Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Hon. Eliot L. Engel United States Congressman 261 West Nyack Road West Nyack, NY 10994 Hon. Nita M. Lowey United States Congresswoman 222 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310 White Plains, NY 10605 Hon. George E. Pataki Executive Chamber State Capitol Albany, NY 12224 Hon. Thomas P. Morahan 158 Airport Exec. Park Nanuet, NY 10954 NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer 120 Broadway New York City, NY 10271 Hon. Andrew J. Spano, County Executive Westchester County Michaelian Office Bldg.
148 Martine Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Hon. William R. Steinhaus, County Executive Dutchess County County Office Bldg.
22 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 6 of 7 Hon. Edward A. Diana, County Executive Orange County County Government Center 255 Main Street Goshen, NY 10924 Hon. Robert J. Bondi, County Executive Putnam County 40 Gleneida Avenue Carmel, NY 10512 Hon. Richard L. Brodsky New York State Assemblyman 5 West Main St., Suite 205 Elmsford, NY 10523 Hon. Ryan S. Karben New York State Assemblyman I Blue Hill Plaza P. O. Box 1549, Suite 1116 Pearl River, NY 10965 Hon. Kenneth P. Zebrowski New York State Assemblyman 67 N. Main Street New City, NY 10956 Mr. Frank lnzirillo, Manager Emergency Planning Entergy - Indian Point Energy Center 295 Broadway, Suite 2 Buchanan, NY 10511 Mr. Brian E. Holian, Deputy Director Division of Reactor Projects United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Mr. Nils Diaz, Chairman United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852
Hon. C. Scott Vanderhoef January 11, 2005 Page 7 of 7 Mr. Michael D. Brown Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response 500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20472 Ms. Lisa Rainwater Van Suntum, PhD Indian Point Campaign Director Riverkeeper P. 0. Box 13 Garrison, NY 10524 Ms. Maureen Ritter 46 Campbell Ave.
Suffern, NY 10901 Mr. Joseph F. Picciano Acting Regional Director FEMA Region II 26 Federal Plaza, Room 1307 New York, New York 10278 Mr. James W. Tuffey, Director New York State Emergency Management Office 1220 Washington Ave., Bldg. 22 Albany, NY 12226 Hon. Bonnie Kraham, Legislator Orange County Legislature County Government Center 255 Main Street Goshen, NY 10924 Hon. Paul Feiner, Supervisor Town of Greenburgh 177 Hillside Avenue Greenburgh, NY 10607 ECJ/HDC/DK/RMB/GMB/WLD/DF/MG/VJP/RRIISS/PS/KPZ/la