ML080940660

Letter from Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey to Judge E. Roy Hawkins Dated 3/11/2008 Regarding Hearing to Be Held on License Renewal of Indian Point'S Nuclear Reactors

ML080940660
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	03/11/2008
From:	Clinton H, Engel E, Hall J, Hinchey M, Lowey N, Schumer C US Congress, US SEN (Senate)
To:	Hawkens E Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
References
FOIA/PA-2008-0157, FOIA/PA-2008-0174, FOIA/PA-2008-0199
Download: ML080940660 (1)

Text

Was l~ingto, DC271.1515 March H.I2008 The Honorable E. Roy Hawkens ChiefAdministrative Judge Atornic Safely and Licensing Board Panel Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC. 20555

Dear Judge Hawkens:

We write with great dismay and concern over the actions of the :itomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel during oral arguments over the license renewal of Indian Point's nuclear reactors. Over the course of this hearing, numerous decisions and missteps were taken that undermine the very reasoning for holding public hearings - to ensure the concerns of interested parlies and individuals are heard and considered.

After initially delaying the start of the meeting by more than one hour, the lack of microphones Ibr representahtves of the Stare, County and Indian Point facility made hearing and responding to arguments virtually impossible for the participating public and for the media, which is responsible tor making the public aware of the proceedings. Furthermore, requests for microphones were denied by the presiding jUdge. and only after rmultiple hours of inaudible testimony was one single microphone provided for tihe multiple tables of witnesses.

These decisions cast serious doubts about the conunitment of the Atormc Satety and Licensing Board Panel and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRCt to an open and honest process for cotnsidering Eutcrgy's license renewal application for Indian Point.

Therefore, we call on you and NRC Chairman Klein to immediately announce plans for an additional hearing to be held in Westchester County. This hearing Must be antIounced with proper public and ofticial notice and include so, ficieit microphones and andin equiprent to accommodate public participation.

Anything less than immediate corrective actions to ensure that the public's voice will be heard in this process is unacceptable.

Sincerely.

a -1.Lo~ve oho Hall lenibcr of C'ungress Member of ( ii ress K lurieHrceý Elot ne e J T etlbt f onress n ib ofonuress Char lcS FE chunlet I lillary Rodh; n Clmnton Unltited.States Senate ltnted Slates Senate cc Ntr. Dale Klein, NIR("