ML12258A175
| ML12258A175 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 09/07/2012 |
| From: | Naples J - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | NRC/SECY/RAS |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| ASLBP 07-858-03-LR-BD01, 50-247-LR, 50-286-LR, RAS E-747 | |
| Download: ML12258A175 (1) | |
Text
Docket, Hearing t
EY77 From:
Naples, Jean M. Unaples@jhsph.edu]
Sent:
Friday, September 07, 2012 1:41 AM To:
Docket, Hearing
Subject:
Closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant
Dear Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
I am submitting the following comments to support the possible closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant:
There are more than 1,500 tons of radioactive waste stored in unfortified containers on the banks of the Hudson River at Indian Point. If the two nuclear reactors operate for another 20 years, Entergy would add another 1,000 tons of nuclear waste to containers New York State has described as "vulnerable to attack."
Please be aware that carcinogenic radioisotopes from the plants have been leaking into the Hudson River since at least the early 1990s.
More than 1 billion dead fish and other organisms are killed by Indian Point's cooling water intakes every year. Indian Point uses more than 2.5 billion gallons of water per day while sucking river life in with the water. Clean water laws require the use of the best available technology to reduce the environmental damage, but Indian Point's owners have refused - for decades - to upgrade to modern technology. The slaughter helps explain why 10 of 13 signature Hudson River species are in decline.
The Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant has an "unworkable" evacuation plan. After extensive study, James Lee Witt, the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flatly declared Indian Point's evacuation plans "unworkable." What's more, the evacuation plans cover just a 10-mile radius around the plant, while nuclear fallout from the power plant could easily spread 50 miles or more.
The present location of the Indian Point Nuclear Power plant places more than 20 million Americans at risk. A disaster here on the scale of the meltdown at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant would endanger millions in and around New York City and the Hudson Valley. The economy of the country, and indeed the world, could be shaken by such a catastrophe.
In addition to each of these health and environmental risks, we don't need Indian Point's power. A 2011 study commissioned by Riverkeeper and NRDC found that without Indian Point, the region would have a surplus of power through 2020, and could replace Indian Point many times over with investments in renewable energy, efficiency and transmission. The cost would be as little as $1-$5 per month for the typical homeowner.
Thank you for consideration of my letter and comments. The conclusion from this letter is that the risks from continued operation of the Indian Point Nuclear Power plant are too dangerous and it is time for closure of this power plant.
Jean Marie Naples, Md-Ph.D.
DOCKETED USNRC September 7, 2012 (1:41 a.m.)
OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND ADJUDICATIONS STAFF