ML19108A306

Comment (23) of Joan Vogt on Agency Activities in Response to a Portion of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act

ML19108A306
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	04/18/2019
From:	Vogt J Power Through Cortlandt
To:	Castellon K Office of Administration
References
84FR9841 00023
Download: ML19108A306 (2)

Text

SUNSI Review Complete Template = ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 ADD=Sarah Achten, Marlaya Vaater, Bruce Watson Attn: Ms Castellon COMMENT (23) krupskaya.castellon@nrc.gov PUBLICATION DATE:

3/18/2019 CITATION 84 FR 9841 I write to you as co-founder and Chairperson of the Legislative Outreach Committee of Power Through Cortlandt, a community organization formed by the citizens of the Town of Cortlandt in the wake of the announcement regarding the closure of the Indian Point power plant.

Power Through Cortlandt requests the NRC to hold one of the hearings for the establishment of Community Engagement Panels for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants in or near the Town of Cortlandt, NY. The two Indian Point reactors located in Cortlandt will be decommissioned beginning in 2020 and 2021. Interest is high in whether this seeming very difficult task can be done safely with the amount of money available for each reactor.

• The NRC should hold the meetings as close as possible to newly decommissioning sites. The Town of Cortlandt is host to the Indian Point reactors that will be ceasing operation in 2020 and 2021.

• In addition, the NRC should attract as many people as possible to these meetings.

The Town of Cortlandt is host to the Indian Point reactors and is only 25 miles from New York City, which has a population of about 8.6 million. It is easily accessible by commuter rail making it convenient for people from the area to attend.

• Both State and local Task Forces have been established to prepare for the closures during the pre-shutdown stage.

• The presence of the Indian Point reactors on the shores of the Hudson River that feeds NY harbor is a source of concern. Any issues during the decommissioning process could have a serious impact on this major international trading hub.

• Another concern is the proximity of the three Algonquin natural gas pipelines on and adjacent to the Indian Point property. The convergence of these two risks presents unique problems for the safe decommissioning of the site.

• NY State is home to 4 other nuclear power plants. As Indian Point winds down, there is a growing interest in the fate of the communities involved in the loss of a major local industry.

• Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC), a local entity, would be a source of information and experience for a meeting in Cortlandt. Its members have participated in meetings and activities surrounding the Indian Point plant for the past several years.

• Power Through Cortlandt is a group of concerned community members dedicated to helping our town through the challenges that we will face upon the

closure of Indian Point. Our mission is to provide leadership and to advocate for our community against any adverse financial, environmental, education, business, or legal impacts of the plant closure.

• IPSEC and Unity, a coalition of groups advocating for safety issues of the Algonquin pipeline, are working to establish model provisions for advisory panels in places throughout the U.S.

• The Oyster Creek reactor in NJ is also decommissioning. An NRC hearing here would also attract people from that area.

• Many local citizens will want to be able to hear what the NRC has to say about who will influence decommissioning. Peoples interest in the fate of our nuclear plants is increasing by the day. They would welcome a chance to hear how a government agency wants to structure citizens involvement in this important process.

We earnestly request that the NRC use Cortlandt as a site for citizen input on how we will establish Community Engagement Panels for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants in the U.S.

Sincerely, Joan Vogt Power Through Cortlandt