ML12264A547

Limited Appearance Statement of Major R. Owens Supporting Indian Point, Units 2 and 3 License Renewal Application

ML12264A547
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	09/17/2012
From:	Owens M Medgar Evers College
To:	NRC/SECY/RAS
SECY RAS
References
50-247-LR, 50-286-LR, ASLBP 07-858-03-LR-BD01, RAS E-1302
Download: ML12264A547 (3)

Text

DOCKETED USNRC ME September 19, 2012 (2:56 p.m.)

OFFICE OF SECRETARY MEDGAR EVERS RULEMAKINGS AND ADJUDICATIONS STAFF COLLEGE The CityUniversity of New York School of Business Department of Public Administration DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy 1650 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-270-5097 communovationseqmail.com Honorable Major Owens Senior Fellow September 17, 2012 Office of the Secretary Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Re: Indian Point Units 2 and 3 License Renewal Application NRC Docket Nos. 50-247-LR and 50-286-LR ASLBP No. 07-858-03-LR-BDO1

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am Major Owens, a retired Congressman who served in the House of Representatives from 1983-2007. I am writing to express my support for the licensing of Indian Point Units 2 and 3 in Buchanan, NY. It is my understanding that the NRC is considering numerous issues in connection with the license renewal application. Among these ancillary issues the probability that the closing of Indian Point will lead to higher electric bills that adversely impact on my low-income community of Central Brooklyn is of paramount importance. Like most black communities in America we have experienced a loss of fifty percent of our wealth since the recession began in 2008, and the record will show that payments to keep the lights on are a serious problem in many households. Statistics also show that the high childhood asthma rates in New York City are concentrated in the low-income neighborhoods and pollution caused by fossil fuels would greatly increase the risks. I hope that these matters will be assigned a high priority in your deliberations.

Indian Point is an important part of the New York State energy portfolio because it provides base load energy with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. I am concerned about global warming and its effect on the environment in general, as well as its effect on low-income communities in our area. In addition, if Indian Point were closed and replaced with fossil-fuel alternatives, air quality in the New York City area would be worse.

Leaders in my community are aware of all of the environmental justice concerns and we strongly recommend that the Commission and the Nuclear Power Industry increase their information and education efforts among our constituents. Considering the fact that clean alternative energy sources are still in an embryonic stage our present consensus is that the NRC should renew the license for Indian Point.

Your consideration of my comments would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely Yours Major R. Owens Cc: Administrative Judge Lawrence G. McDade c/o Anne Siarnacki, Law Clerk Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Mail Stop T-3F23 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Docket, Hearing From: Major Owens [mowens@mec.cuny.edu]

Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 2:56 PM To: Docket, Hearing

Subject:

Indian Point Units 2 and 3 License Renewal Application Attachments: Indian Point Units 2 and 3 License Renewal Application.pdf Good day, please see letter in attachment.

A hard and copy was sent via USPS mail.

Regards Hon. Major R. Owens 1