ML12335A529

Official Exhibit - CLE000006-00-BD01 - Pre-Filed Direct Testimony of John Simms

ML12335A529
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	10/11/2011
From:	Simms J - No Known Affiliation
To:	Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
SECY RAS
References
RAS 21626, 50-247-LR, 50-286-LR, ASLBP 07-858-03-LR-BD01
Download: ML12335A529 (4)

Text

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Official Hearing Exhibit Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

In the Matter of:

(Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units 2 and 3) c..\,.~p..R REGlI~;. ASLBP #: 07-858-03-LR-BD01

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Docket #: 05000247 l 05000286 Exhibit CLE000006 Exhibit #: CLE000006-00-BD01 Identified: 10/15/2012 Submitted 12/22/11

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• ~ Admitted: 10/15/2012 Withdrawn:

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0.... Rejected: Stricken:

","***il Other:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of ) Docket Nos. 50-247-LR

) and

) 50-286-LR ENTERGY NUCLEAR OPERATIONS, INC. )

)

(Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units 2 and 3) )

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) October II , 2011 TESTIMONY OF JOHN SIMMS IN SUl>PORT OF HUDSON RIVER SLOOP CLEARWATER, INC. 's CONTENTION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Q1. What is your name, your age, and your place of .oesidence'?

A I. My name is John Simms and I am 88 years old and I live at the Bethel Springvale Inn at 62 Springvale Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520.

Q2. In what capacity are you providing testimony today'?

A2. I am providing testimony from my personal knowledge as a resident of an assisted living facility that is located within 5 miles oflndian Point.

Q3. How long have you lived at Springvale Inn?

A3. I have lived at Springvale lrul for 2 years, since August 2009. In January 2006, I had a heart attack and a valve replacement at Westchester Medical Center at Valhalla. In between 4 hospitalizations I spent time in Taylor Nursing Home, then at Bethel's Springvale Nursing Home, which across the street from Springvale Inn. When I recovered enough to be able to be more on my own and no longer required to be in a nursing home, I was transferred here to this assisted living facility. I still have COPD in addition to my heart condition.

Q4. When did you retit-e and what was your former employment?

A4. 1 retired about 23 years ago. After serving in World War II, I studied engineering under the Gl Bill and had a 40-year long career as a product engineer. I also started my own business as an engineering consultant.

Q5. Approximately how many people are living at Spl"ingvale Inn?

A5. There are about 85 to 90 residents here; 125 being the maximum for Springvale Inn.

Q6, Do the residents at Springvale Inn have any disabilities that would make it difficult for them to evacuate in case of an emergency for which evacuation was required?

A6. Many residents here are wheelchair-bound. I would estimate that only 10-15% are ambulatory without aids. Our ability to get around leaves much to be desired. Many people here including myself are legally blind. Poor hearing and loss of memory are also a problem.

Some people have Alzheimer's and other mental disabilities; many require the help of private aides, but they may not have aides round tbe clock.

Q7, What if no aide is thue?

A 7. Some people have difficulty comprehending or following directions. An evacuation would be extremely difficult for people at Springvale.

Q8, What about language barriers? Do residents of Springvale Inn have any language ban'iers?

A8. Maybe a few are from foreign countries, but they speak and understand English, if they are able to understand what is being said. But as J said, some have comprehension problems.

Q9, Are there eligibility criteria for being a resident at Springvale Inn? Are there any criteria with I'egard to age or income?

A9. You would really need to ask the administration. J know that some people pay for some services. For example, J need eye drops. When I put them in myself, I miss or use too much, so they want me to go to the medication room for help with this. But I do not pay for this service.

Overall, I would say the average person here is at least middle class, but I do not know of any criteria.

QI0, How often do you have fire drills or other emel'gency drills that actually include evacuating the building'!

A I O. Yes, the administration has worked out a schedule for drills and for possible evacuations.

In my experience drills have been held about once a year. We had one scheduled with the local volunteer fire department recently, but it was cancelled and seems to have been postponed indefinitely, or at least they haven't told us when it would be rescheduled.

Qll. Where do people go when there is a drill and the building is evacuated?

A II. Right outside of the building.

Q12, Have you as a resident evel' been given information or prepared fOl' a radiological emugency, snch as might occur if thel'e were a severe prohlem at Indian Point?

A12. No, they've never discussed a radiological emergency. l've never been

informed of any special evacuation plan involving any emergency at Indian Point.

I don 't remember the source so this is definitely not an "official" answer, but I have heard that we would be sent to White Plains or Valhalla. In any case, I think that would be like going from the frying pan to the fire .

Q13. What about potassium iodide (KJ), which can be given to reduce the chance of thyroid cancer, if given promptly in the event of a radiological emergency? Havc they discussed this or asked for your permission to have KJ admiuistered in case of emel'gency?

A 13. No, they never discussed it. There has been no discussion by the staff about a radiological emergency.

Q14. How would pcople bc tl'3nsported to anothcl'location in thc evcnt of an emergcncy?

Are there enough vehicles to tt*anspol*t people from this assisted living facility to a safc shelter'?

A14. As far as I know Bethel doesn 't maintain a fleet of vehicles that could transport us. Only one or two residents even have personal vehicles, if any. It would take busses or vans. There is a bus line on Route 9-A, but it doesn't run that frequently; it doesn't run for 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />, and it might not even be operational in an emergency. We also use Para-Transit; it's like a taxi service, but you must arrange for it in advance; maybe 5 days in advance. That wouldn't do us any good during a disaster. Good luck QIS. Beyond the people here at Springvale, do you think thel'c would any possible displ'oportionate impacts to people from communities of color, cthnicity or low income from an sCI'ious accident or incident at Indian Point?

A 15. I think that depends on location. The more citified communities such as Peekskill, White Plains, Mt. Kisco, Mt. Vernon and Yonkers might have a harder time evacuating and people who cannot afford personal transportation might have a harder time evacuating. As I said, even here, we depend on busses, which may not be running in a disaster.

Q16. Are there any other possible impacts ifthere were a problem at Indian Point that you have concems about?

A 16. I am concerned that power and water would be interrupted. All our systems are intertwined. The NYC water supply could become contaminated because the reservoirs are here in Croton and Yonkers. We cannot defend our basic resources.

QI7. What about possible solutions to the conccms you have raised about evacuation or other concems to reduce negative impacts?

A 17. We need an alternative means to cross the Hudson, because the two bridges might quickly become overwhelmed. During World War II , if a bridge across the Rhine was mined or blown up, we used pontoon bridges to cross the river. Could pontoons be assembled to allow the general population on the east side of the Hudson River to flee to the west?

Q18. lfyou were told to shelter in place while the general population was evacuating, how would you feel?

A18. It would depend on the circumstances. I'd have to know more.

Q19. Ifpcwerwas cut off, is there II baclmp generator?

A19. I don't believe there is a generator.

Q20. Would loss of power cause any serious medical difficulties for any of the residents?

A2D. I don't know.

In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, I state under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct:

JoJb ~~

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