NRC: News Release - Region I - 2008-048 - NRC, Entergy to Discuss Work Toward Completion, Operability of New Siren System for Indian Point Nuclear Plant on Aug. 8

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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs, Region I
475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
www.nrc.gov

No. I-08-048		August 1, 2008
CONTACT:	Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Neil A. Sheehan (610) 337-5331	E-mail: opa1@nrc.gov
NRC, ENTERGY TO DISCUSS WORK TOWARD COMPLETION, OPERABILITY OF NEW SIREN SYSTEM FOR INDIAN POINT NUCLEAR PLANT ON AUG. 8 Printable Version
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting with Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., on Friday, Aug. 8, to discuss the company’s work on installing, testing and placing into service a new emergency notification system (ENS) for the Indian Point nuclear power plant. FEMA staff will also be in attendance. The system, which would be used to notify the public in the event of a significant event at the Buchanan (Westchester County), N.Y., plant, is equipped with 172 sirens located throughout the roughly 10-mile-radius Emergency Planning Zone for the facility. Entergy has set a target date of Aug. 14 for placing the new system in service. However, that date is contingent on final approval of the system as defined by regulation and guidance that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must adhere to and apply to all nuclear power plants across the country. “This has been a difficult project. We are nearing the culmination of nearly two and half years of work on the new emergency notification system for Indian Point -- work that has involved a high degree of effort and cooperation among federal, state and county officials,” NRC Region I Administrator Samuel J. Collins said. “At our public meeting on August 8th, we will talk about the current status of this project, what remains to be done, the potential transition to the new siren system and our expectations for the operation and continued testing of the system.” Scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., the Aug. 8th meeting will take place at the Westchester Marriott Tarrytown, at 670 White Plains Road in Tarrytown, N.Y. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak with the NRC and FEMA staff following the business portion of the meeting but prior to adjournment. There will also be an informational poster-board session on the topic from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the same location. That session will provide an opportunity for members of the public to informally discuss issues related to the ENS with NRC and FEMA staff. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 included a provision directing the NRC to require nuclear power plants with high local population densities to have back-up power for their emergency notification systems, including sirens. Indian Point is the only nuclear plant that fell within the requirement. The existing ENS is capable of alerting the general public in the vicinity of Indian Point if an emergency condition occurs. However, to address the resulting NRC order, Entergy decided to install a new siren system.
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