ML12237A236
| ML12237A236 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 04/11/2012 |
| From: | Low H Diamond Hill United Methodist Church |
| To: | NRC/SECY/RAS |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| RAS E-590 | |
| Download: ML12237A236 (2) | |
Text
April 11, 2012 Diamond Hill United Methodist Church 521 East Putnam Ave.
Cos Cob, CT 06807 DOCKETED USNRC
Dear President Obama,
Mr. Jaczko, Gov. Cuomo, Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Liebermakpril 11, 2012 (8:30 a.m.)
Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Bingaman, and Sen. Schumer, OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND Every American is concerned about safe and clean energy sources, and every Amnl~VI&ATIONS STAFF concerned about the health of our national economy and national security in regards to terrorism.
It is out of that concern that I am writing you today. The Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Indian Point NY is an issue that connects all of these concerns.
As you are aware, permission to continue operation of the plant for the next twenty years is before the NRC. There is considerable pressure from the nuclear power industry to approve the renewal of the plant's license to continue operation. I would like to take a moment of your time to consider the following points.
The Indian Point plant is located in an area that would, in case of an accident or terrorist attack, affect over 15 million people. It would not be limited to the downstate region of NYS but directly affect Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in CT. It would also affect the national economy because this area is a hub of business in the US and would displace some 15 million people, which would have a huge negative impact on the national economy.
Despite our best intentions and efforts it is impossible to foresee all possibilities, particularly in regards to terrorism. We know that NYC is a prime target for terrorism. Who would have thought the World Trade Center could have been leveled to dust by terrorists. The placement of this plant is like giving the terrorists a nuclear weapon aimed directly at the heart of America.
Even the best security forces in the world cannot guarantee the plant's safety, and we know our enemies are cunning and ruthless.
The fact that the plant is on a fault line is also of no small concern. Some claim the fault is "seismically inactive". That is a bogus claim. The current science is not able to predict an earthquake. The nuclear engineers at Fukushima Daiichi were also confident that their facility was safe and could withstand the power of an earthquake. That confidence, like the earth itself, has been greatly shaken.
Furthermore, it is completely impossible to have an effective evaluation plan in place when we are talking 15 million people. Though I am currently stationed in Greenwich CT, I grew up and lived most of my life on Long Island. The people of Long Island, like everyone, wanted lower cost electrical power. However, the people of Long Island realized that the nuclear power plant at Shoreham was a grave danger to the health and well being of Long Islanders and its environment. There was simply no way three million people (the combined population of
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Suffolk and Nassau counties) could be evacuated should that need arise, and in wisdom sort to close the plant. This is even more the case with 15 million people. Not to mention the real potential of radioactive contamination of the abundant fresh water supplies in the Catskill region.
Therefore, I appeal to all of you to work diligently to close the plant and not to renew its license to operate. The health and well being of the people of NY and CT, the national economy, and the natural environment are in your hands. I pray you will act in wisdom, and not by the money of the nuclear industry or shortsighted energy goals.
Sincerely, Rev. Hal Low, MDiv.
Pastor, Diamond Hill United Methodist Church revhallow@gmail.com