NRC: News Release - Region I - 2005-059 - NRC, Entergy to Discuss Implementation of Backup Power for Indian Point Alert and Notification System

				Search Options
Index \| Site Map \| FAQ \| Facility Info \| Reading Rm \| New \| Help \| Glossary \| Contact Us

NRC NEWS
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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

No. I-05-059		November 7, 2005
CONTACT:	Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Neil A. Sheehan (610) 337-5331	E-mail: opa1@nrc.gov
NRC, ENTERGY TO DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF BACKUP POWER FOR INDIAN POINT ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM Printable Version
Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet with representatives of the Indian Point nuclear power plant on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to discuss the portion of the 2005 Energy Policy Act involving the facility’s Alert and Notification System. Corrective actions aimed at improving the reliability of the current system will also be a topic. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Crystal Bay on the Hudson – Charles Point Marina, at 5 John Walsh Blvd. in Peekskill, N.Y. It will be open to the public for observation and NRC officials will provide an opportunity for questions and/or comments prior to adjournment. Indian Point is located in Buchanan (Westchester County), N.Y., and operated by Entergy Nuclear Northeast. Like all U.S. commercial nuclear power plants, Indian Point is required to have an alert and notification system capable of making the public aware of an emergency event at the site. Specifically, the system would be used to inform citizens within the 10-mile-radius emergency planning zone to listen to emergency alerting stations for instructions and information. As part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which was approved by Congress on July 29 and then signed into law by President Bush on Aug. 8, the NRC is to require nuclear power plants with certain population densities to have backup power for the facility’s emergency notification system, including sirens. The only plant to meet this criteria is Indian Point. "We welcome this opportunity to have a candid exchange of information with Entergy in a public setting regarding the 2005 Energy Policy Act and the corrective actions for the Indian Point Alert and Notification System," said Eric Leeds, the NRC Director of the Division of Preparedness and Response. "We recognize that this is an issue of interest to the public and to state, county and local officials, and it is one in need of timely resolution." In addition to NRC officials and Entergy managers, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, will also take part in the Nov. 16th meeting. While the NRC is responsible for on-site emergency preparedness requirements, FEMA is responsible for assessing the efficacy of the off-site portion of nuclear power plants’ emergency response plans.