ML20083Q428
| ML20083Q428 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 02/21/1983 |
| From: | Seasonwein R NEW YORK, STATE OF |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20083Q370 | List: |
| References | |
| ISSUANCES-SP, NUDOCS 8302250392 | |
| Download: ML20083Q428 (24) | |
Text
t
.. = = = =. = = - -
.: =
.; =:
=
====e_
. = = = -
=
- = rw UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMilSSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of
)
CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK
)
Do'cket Nos. 50-247 SP (Indian Point Unit 2)
)
50-286 SP
)
POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK )
(Indian Point Unit 3)
)
February 21, 1983 TESTIMONY OF ROGER SEASONWEIN ON COMMISSION QUESTION 3 PROFERRED BY ASSEMBLYMAN RICHARD BRODSKY 8302250392 830222 PDR ADOCK 05000247E
^
o roger seasonwein associates, inc.
26 burling lane, new rochelle, new york 10801 (914) 576-3477 February 15, 1983 STATESMT BY ROGER S2ASONWEIN I ax Roger Seasonwein, president cf Seasonwein Associates and publicher of the Seasoavein Poli.
I've been engaged in trarNeting mearch for almost 20 years workir.g for such commercial clients as Exxon, Conoco, Naticnal Steel and, the American Cc.uncil of Life Insurar:ce voluntary organizations such as United Way of America and Freedcm Hcuse; and, en a pra bonc basis, various govenraent agencies.
Additionally, I have written a number of articles and teach at New York University and the Nathan Mayhew Seninars in Massachusetts. One c,f the areas in which I have dewlopaci.gacial expertise it whet is known as corrmnications research, it:cluding the measurement of the effectiveness of concnunicatiers and the litt11 hood that plans and progrmns wi21 be acted upon.
My fir.t has con-ducted a number of published surveys and I have been the schfect of articles in the New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor and other publications.
Sponsorship of the Indian Point Survey The Indian Point survey was conducted on behalf of the Comnranity Relations Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. This Committee is chaired by John Hand, a Republican. Both Republican and Democratic members of this Committee participated heavily in the design of the survey as did the office of former County Executive Alfred Del Bello.
The survey had two objectives. First, it measures attitudes toward the nu-clear plants at Indian Point among all Westchester adults.
~
4
..We second segment of the survey. is a feasability study,' de' termining(the
~
effectiveness.of the emergency evacuation plan that has been developed' for these plants. While this.feasability study'was primarily conducted among people living near the plants, one.or two questions were.also asked of persons living further away to determine lwhether' their ' actions would" impede-the programLin the ten-mile zone.
4 Methodolotrl
- i he survey was conducted._.ong a probability sample cf 500 Westchestar adults 18 years of age and over.
t i
Some~ 400 of these interviews vere conducted outside the ten-mile zone while the j.
~ balance of 100 were with persons living-within this zone.
i Since 924 of Westchester residents live outside the ten-mile zone and only BC%
- t
~
cf tue interviews were. cor. duct?d there, the data were weighted when results.
were computed for the. e.et. ire county
, Interviews took an avenge of 40 ninutes and were condue:ed by telephone.
using standard probability samling-techniques. Interviewing dates were December 2-8, 1982.
Summary of Results i
1.
1 -
Attitudes.
- We' Indian Point nuclear plants are accepted by Westchester, albeit lukewarmly.
- A 49-35 plurali'y accepts the' plant's..This vote remains essentially the same after th rguments on both sides of the question are heard.
hose : ins'ide the ten-mile zone are evenly divided, with about 45% in favor 3
. and 45% opposed. Outside the zone, there is 50%-34% acceptance.
Se reason people are willing to accept the plants has to do with a willingness to trade off economic. advantages for health risks.-
4
- ne first thing to understand about this trade off is that Westchester residents, both inside and outside the ten-mile zone, reject the notion that the plants could xplode. Thus they' basically perceive them as presenting a pollution risk---not unlike a toxic chemical plant.
i t
x---
p w
-,,,p-g-,v-4-
m
,,--eg.p---e+,e.,.-ng,,,,,.--e-,m+
t e, - y,y-w e -n t-w-
e e.
m c-v g--w-e e re w -g
.e., e. gvo,,-ws--n.
- er r - ee -
g,..e-,ne-r-~w-
--m-,
he primary economic benefits that are perceived are a reduction in electricity -
rates and a contribution by the plants to the overall economic fabric of the county.
(Incidentally,' residents reject the notion that the plants help reduce real estate taxes or that they significantly affect the consumption of foreign
. oil. )
Feasibility Survey Insofar as the emergency plan is concerned, there is a mixed findinti.
If the emergency is such that people are ' ordered to stay 'inside and close their doors and windows, a large prcportion will comply.
On the other hand if evacuation is required, chaos could prevail since bcth inside end outside the ten-mile zcne cr cial elements of the plan would be ig-nored.
4 J.
%e tables referred to in this are attached to this testimony as an apper. dix.
4 4,'
11 l
~
T-3 WHE'IHER 'IHE NUCLEAR PLANTS AT INDIAN POINT SHOULD BE KEPT OPERATING Inside Total 10 Mile Zone outside-4 Initial attitudes before argu' anta m
given on both sideo r i
Keep operating 49 44 50 should shut down 35 45 34 Don' t know 15 11 1G l
Atttt:rles cf ter argare:nts given on Lc'.h sites:
)
Kee.p operating 52 4'
53 f
Should shut down 39 47 39 l
Don' t know 8
7 8
i l
l l
roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
l
T-5 1
4 ARE: THE NUCLEAR POWER PLAN'IS AT INDIAN POINT BASICALLY SAFE OR UNSAFE Inside Total 10 Mile Zone Outside Safe; 45 45 45 th afe 41 47 41 Mixed emotions 0
1 0
Don't know 14 7
14
+
I
\\
l 1
l I
i i
roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
1
T-6 HOW LIKELY IS IT T11AT RADIOACTIVE MATERIAIS COULD BE RELEASED FROM IllE PLANTS AT INDIAN POINT AND HOW SERIOUS A HEAL'IH HAZARD WOULD if!AT BE Inside Total 10 Mile Zone Outside t
very likell 21 17 21 Somewhat likely 30 39 29 Feel emission likely and the health hazard (in ger.eral) would ber Serious 29 41 28 Somewhat serious 13 10 13 Not serious 2
5 2
Don' t know 6
0 7
Feel en.insion likely and the health hazard (personally) would be:
Serious 26 42 24 Somewhat serious 18 10 19 i
Not serious 4
5 5
l Don' t know 2
0 2
1 l
roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
T-7 WE MOST SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAPPEN WIW ANY NUCLEAR PLANT Inside ibtal 10 Mi3e Zone utside
.Could explode 16 18 16 Meltdown 62 69 62 Don't know 21, 13 22 i
J roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
T-8 HAS A NUCLEAR PLANT EVER EXPLODED 'IN 'IHIS COUNTRY EISEWHERE Inside Total 10 Mile Zone Outside Yes 4
1 5
No 11 13 11 Don't know 84 86 84 k
l i
i roger seasonwein aesociates,Inc.
r T AWARE: OF MEANING OF SIREN AND FEEL EY SHOULD......'.
Inside 10 Mile Zone Aware 89 khat shculd be done Stay indoors 66 Leave area 25 Pay no attention 6
Don't know 3
i Base Those who live within the "10 mile" zone.
1 l
l roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
J
T-17 WHETHER WOULD LEAVE AREA IF INSTRUCTED TO AND HOW WOULD DO IT Inside 10 Mile Zone t
Would leave area 80 would stay indoors 16 Would pay no attention 1
Don't know 3
Ways would leave the arear Bus 3
Own car 82 Ride with friend or neighbor 6
Airplane 1
Don' t know 8
e Base: Those who live within the "10 mile" zone.
1 l
l roger seasonwein associates,Inc.
I
I T-18 WHETHER INCMS ABOUT A PitEEESICMA2ED WAD mtFM TO SE TAKEN IN AN EVACUATION AND WHETHER WOULD TAKE IT
.j~'
$d Inside 10 Mile zone 4
f Yes, there is a predesignated
- road route 31 No, don't know if there is a predesignated road routa 69 Yes, would take the predesignated road route 41 Would leave the best way know how
$6 Don't know 3
y-Base: Those who live within the "10 mila" sone.
i I
i I
t reger seasonwein associates,Inc.
i':-
l i
P
-w...
me-
,,wns... wee.-.
.,..,,, e a en.
+
j, l
i l
s.
i M - --- -
~
EASONWEIN ASSOCIATES / JOB 9809
, AucuBT, 1982 And by what percent do you think electric rates would be increased if these two power plants were closed---would it be closest to lot, 204, 30s, dot, 50s, or acre?
104........... 15-1 30 %.......... 3 ~
S04..............$
Don't know.....Y 204..............
2 4 0 4.......... 4 hre............ 6 r
Overall. do you f,eal that the nuclear power plants at Indian Point e hasically safe,
~
or do you feef that*they are basically unsafe?
Safe..I...... 16-1 Unsafe...... 2 Don't know...........Y 4
D. How likely do you think it is that radioactive materials could be released from one or both of the plants at Ir.dian Pcint--very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not et all likely?
Very likely...17-1)
Not too lixely....... 3)
D.K...Y) SKIP 10 13 1 ASK 11 I
somewhat likely.. 2)
Not likely at all.... 4) SKIP 3013
- 1. How serious a health hazard would be posed of it that happened-very serious, somewhat serious, not too sericus or for people in Westchester not serious et all?
Very serious.... 18-1 Not too serious..... 3 Don' t kr.ow.......Y Somewhat serious 4.
2 Mot serious at all.. 4
- 2. And how serious a health hazard would there be for you personally and those living with you if radioactive materials were released by one or both the plants at Indian Point--very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious or not serious at all?
Very serious.... 19-1 No t too s e ricus..... 3 Don' t know.......Y somewhat serious... 2 Not serious at a11.. 4
- 3. Some people say that the sost serious accident that could happen with any nuclear power plant is what is called a meltdown. Other people feel a nuclear pcater plant could emplode. Ze it your feeling that a nuclear plant could explode or do you feel that the sost serJous accident would be what is described as a meltdown?
Could explode. 20-1)ASK 14 Neitdown most serious.. 2) SKIP TO 15 Don't know..Y) SKIP TO 15 Te.
4.1b your knowledge, has a " nuclear. power plant ever exploded -in this country or elsewhere?
Yes........ 21-1 No......... 2 Don't know.........Y M
s b
4 g
6 4
e E
~
e 1
9
...[.---._.-.-
~
t s.
\\
- ~ - - * -
SEASONWEIN ASSOCIATES / JOB #809-
, AUGUST, 1982 22.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires the owners of nuclear plants to have an emergency plan. Con Edison and the New York State Power Authority, the owners of the two nuclear plants at Indian Point, have based their plan on the seriousness of an emergency. If just a small amount of radiation is released, they recommend that you and all others living within 10 miles of Indian Point remain indo6rs with all window's andAle*ars shut.
If the release of nuclear material in the air is nore r,diri6us they will advise you to leave the area. These instructions wou,ld be given to you over the radio and on television.
Suppose the instruction were to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
Would you be inclined to do this, or would you be inclined to pay no attention to the instructiona and go on with what you were doing, or would you be inclined to leave the area?
(IT DON'T KNOW OR EQUIVALENT:)
We're only interested in your current impression.
(REPEAT QUESTION)
Stay indoors.... 30-1 h ave area...... 3 Pay no attention....?
Don't know...... 4/Y 3.
Suppose the instruction were for you to leave the area.
Wculd you be inclined to do this, or would you be inclined to pay no attention to the instructions and go on with what you were doing or would you be
, inclined to stay indoors and close all windows and doors?
(IT DON'T XNOW OR EQUIVALENT:) We're only interested in your current impression. (REPEAT QUESTION) k ave area......
31-1~
Stay indoors... 3 Pay no attention....?
Don't know......Y If there were an evacuation, would you use a bus to leave or your 4
own car or would you try.to get a ride with a friend or neighbor or
' would yoTtry to get out some other way?
Bus............. 32-1 Ride with friend or neighbor.. 3 Own car.............?
Don't know.....................Y Do you happen to kn'ow whether there is a predesignated road route for you to take in an dvacuation?
Yes.............
33-1 No............
2 Don't know...Y If th,ere is a predesignated road route, would you be inclined to take it or would you be inclined to leave the area the best way you know how?
l Predsaignated road route.1 Best way know how. 2 Don't know..Y t
.?
I l
l l
r
'/
t h
/
-.. ~ - - - -
I
~
u N
AUGUST, 1982 SEASONWIIN ASSOCIATES / JOB #809 -
INSTRUCTION: THOSE ASKED 15-31, SKIP TO 34 32.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires the owners of nuclear plants to have an emergency plan. Con Edison and the New York State Power Authority, the owners of the tv > nuclear plants at i
Indian Point, have based their plan on how close> people live to the nts.
For those like you who live further away than that, 2,
thei Ian advises you to remain where you are.
m If there were an emission of radioactive materials that was serious enough for those living closer than 10 miles to be asked to leave their homes, what would you do2 Would you be inclined to follow the plan and stay put or would you Le inclined to go closer to the plant or would you be inclined to leave your home and get further away from the plant. (IT DON'T KNOW OR EQUIVALENT:) We're only interested in your current impression. (REPEAT QUESTION)
Stay put...... 39-1
-Get further away.. 3 Go closer........
2 Don't know........ 4/Y 33.
Do you feel that decisions related to the operation of the nuclear power plants at Indian Point should be made by Con Ed end the New York, State Power Authority themselves, c.r by professionals brought in from outside who are trained in the nuc3sar energy field, or by your elected representatives, or by the public? (MAY MULTIPLE RECORD)
Con Ed and N.Y.S.P.A.. 40-1 Elected representatives.. 3 Professionals............ 2 Public.....",.............
4 O
1 e
~
/
6
[
=
i' f
of
/*
- e.,?
~ * = -
_ _ _ ~ _ _ - _ _ __.,
=.
., Z.. ~ ~
_,-e.
e-s
- 35. Now I'm ping to read you some arveents on the other cide. (EEED X'D 21EN)
Do you feel the statement 2 just read you is hasien11y true or basically not true?' (2F TRUE, OR DON'T ENOWs) Are you laclined to feel the statement we are talking about is a strong or a weak argment for opening the nuclear
. power plants et Indian Point?
Not.
.I 52RR7 wm, True True g strone weak g Wuclear energy has been providing electricity -
to residents of New York State from the Indian PiUnt site since 1962, when one of the nation's first nuclear electric plants began operating. Stie two plante earrantly operating
'j'", of 'the power nuded by New Yorkers for jobs, at Indifa. Point previde a sigMficant amount for schools and most of the power for the Hetropoliten Transportatior. Authority's commuter railroads and subways and for same 75 3overnment I
agencies, including the street lightiag, public housing, water filtration and other electrical neoc.s of counties, villages and school systems.41-1 2
3 42-1 2
3
_,,, my usin'a nualear energy as its fuel, Indian Pois.t makss unrecessary the burning of same 20 willion barrels of inserted oil each year.
By substitstirg nuclear energy for isported oil, t.he two plants save consumers tulf a billiam
,f dollars a year in electric rates...............#3-1 2
3 44-1 2
3 2n ne.arly M years, the operation of the Indian toint plants has never caused an injury to a member *cf the P411=, Fechanical malfunctions have interrNytod operations at times, and oecesacrally have causto small teleases of radiation inside the containment building, but have never lid to a significant selease beyond she plant kas 4ry,........................... 4 5-1 2
3 46-1 2
3 i
hru the begint.ing scientists and engineers hava recognised the potential hasard of nuclear plants-the accidental release of radioactive matarials-and designed the plants to prevent a large release from happening............................... 47-1 2
3 48-1 2
3 If the plants at Indian Point are closed the electricity rates in westchester will go up at least los and perhaps as mch as 20s....... 49-1 2
3 50-1 2
3 I
t e
a t
(
i l
e
.... ~.....
A
... -. -....-- ~.
- - ~
.SEASOKWEIN ASSOCIATES / JOB f 809 AUGUST, 1982
'35R.
Nbw I'm going to read you some arguments on the other side.
(READ X'D ITEM) - Do you feel the statement I just read you is basically true or basically-not true? (IT TRUE, OR DON'T KNOW:) - Are you inclined to feel the statement we are talking about is a strong or-a weak argument for keeping the nuclear power plants at Indian Point closed?
e Not j
'It is possible that Indian. Point. True True DX e Strong Weak --
~'
DK
-- l may have been needed in 1962 when j
-i the first nuclear plant began run-e ning there but the two nuclear l
plante are increasingly unneeded j
now.
In large part this is be-as
..cause t,be amount of electricity useJ Wy/the average Westchester i
g -residents has gone down a lot and j
-c e
continues to decline. Talk that the Indian Poit't plants are ntedad j
to provide electricity that pro-a tects jobs is just a scars tactic.'.51-1 2
3 l C2-1 2
3 8
Indian Point does almost nothing I
to reduce the use of foreign oil I
in this area. While those who fa-i vor the plants talk about saving I
20 million barrels of oil a year l
Ly haaing these atomic plants, j
they don't mention that this anctnt s/'
of oil is net even 10% of the for-l s
eign oil uced arcund here......... 53-1 2
1*
Ek-1 2
1 w 8 The operators of Tndian Point claim
-I that no cne has been injured by it j
in 20 years. This predatly means e
that cur luek is about to run out since there have been many times l
when each of the two plants there e
have had sometting' <rong and one o.?
l the plants was just shut down re -
l cently because it was said to be e
unsafe............................ 55-1 2
3 l 56-1 ~
2 3
i Scientists still have not solved j
the problem of how to safely store e
on a long-term basis, the radioactive wastes produced by nuclear power plants j
i 4
and the related problem of where to e
safely dispose of these nuclear wastes.
a Wes'tphester has accumulated a stockpile l
of.this nuclear waste because there is e
i no adequate plan for its disposal. 57-1 2
3 l 58-1 2
3 s'
Indian Point is. located in the most e
l
.? populated area of any. nuclear power plant in the country. -If an evacuation j
were necessary for the area surrounding j
the Indian Point Plant, such an evacuation r
would be impossible'in the, light of the j
i numbers of people to be mo'ved, the existing ll road network and the lack of protective e
equipment......................... 59-1 2
3 l 60-1 2
3 0
s I
l l
i i
l
\\
(
~
- -. ~. - -
-~ --,----
_ _ _ _ _. ~
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of
)
)
CONSOLIDATED EDI5ON COMPANY Oc NEW YORK
)
Docket t!os. 50-247 SP (Indian Foint-Unit 2)
)
50-286 SP
)
F0WER AUil:0RITY OF THE STALE OF NEW YORK
)
(Indiar! Point Unit 3)
)
February 21, 1983 SUPPLEMENTAL TESTIMQNY GP SAMUEL N. ANDERSON, PhD. on Behalf of PCS/NYPIRG and WE$ PAC CHAKLES AWALT on Behalf of Parents Concerned About Indian Pofnt
.and 1/ESPAC KAI ERICKSON on Behalf of Parents Concerned About Endia.n Point.
and UCS/NYPIRG SONNY HALL on Behalf of Parents Concerned.'About Indian Point and UCS/NYPIRG JOHN RODEN on Behalf of Parents Concerned About Indian Point '
ALMA CORMICAN on Behalf of Parents Concerned About Endian Point JAMES MURPHY on Behalf of UCS/NYPIRG RICHARD ALTSCHULER on Behalf of UCS/NYPIRG and Rockland Citizens for Safe Energy