Washington, DC - Today, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that she has joined Assemblyman Richard Brodsky and other elected officials in petitioning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to withdraw its approval of the Indian Point radiological emergency preparedness plan. Clinton's decision to join the petition was based largely on the Witt Associates' recent report findings, which identified major deficiencies in the emergency preparedness plan for the areas of New York State around the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

"The Witt report makes it clear that we must be doing more to ensure the safety and security of communities surrounding Indian Point. We need to be sure that we can evacuate schools, keep people safe, and provide our first responders with the training and equipment they need to defend our communities," Senator Clinton said. "All government agencies at all levels should be looking at this report and taking appropriate action, including responding to the petition that was submitted to FEMA more than seven months ago."

In letters to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Senator Clinton requested that both agencies review the Witt report, and that FEMA respond to the Brodsky petition. In her letter to FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh, Clinton wrote, "As a part of its response to the petition, FEMA should take into consideration the draft report by Witt Associates issued earlier this month, which finds that 'the current radiological response system and capabilities are not adequate to overcome their combined weight and protect the people from an unacceptable dose of radiation in the event of a release from Indian Point.'"

"Senator Clinton's decision to join our FEMA petition continues the active and intelligent leadership she has provided in this post-September 11 environment. The decision about the adequacy of the Evacuation Plans rests with FEMA. Our Petition requires them to decide. The evidence and law are clear. The Plans do not protect our families and communities and FEMA must begin the administrative process we have been pursuing since last June. We are confident that Senator Clinton's leadership will help move the process forward in the interest of the people of New York," Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said.

According to FEMA's regulations, if FEMA determines that a State or local plan is no longer adequate to protect public health and safety or is no longer able to be implemented, FEMA must immediately advise the Governor of that determination. The State then has four months to correct any noted deficiencies in the plan, or to submit an acceptable plan for correcting such deficiencies. If the State fails to do either within the four month period, FEMA then must withdraw its approval of the plan. Such a decision to withdraw approval is open to appeal by any interested party.

Earlier this month, Senator Clinton joined Senator Harry Reid of Nevada in reintroducing the Nuclear Security Act -- key legislation that would improve the safety and security at Indian Point and other nuclear power plants in New York State and around the country. The "Nuclear Security Act" would require that standards for security and emergency response plans for all reactors be enhanced based on the recommendations of an interagency task force, and that individual plans be updated accordingly. The Senator has also worked to ensure that nuclear power plants in high population areas, like Indian Point, would be the first to be examined under this legislation.

In addition, Senator Clinton has reintroduced "The Homeland Security Block Grant Act" to provide communities throughout New York and the nation with financial help to pay for the protection of citizens against terrorist attacks, including attacks on nuclear facilities.

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