Washington, D.C. – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today issued the following statement regarding reports that the Indian Point nuclear power plant will not make its Thursday deadline to debut a new siren warning system.

 

“I am disappointed that the new system will not be in place by tomorrow’s deadline, which comes more than three years after I worked to pass a law to require Entergy to install backup power for their sirens.  However, and I am pleased that the new system promises to be the best in the country, and I do think it is important that FEMA take the time they need to ensure that everything is in order before the new system is brought on line.  We will soon have a great system in place, and I applaud the hard work that Entergy, FEMA, the NRC and local officials have done to bring us to this point.”

 

Senator Clinton has worked to push both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Entergy to improve safety, security and emergency preparedness at the plant, including the siren system. Senator Clinton added a provision to the energy bill in 2005 to require Entergy to install a new siren system with battery backup in response to repeated failures of the Indian Point siren system due to a lack of backup power. That provision was signed into law in August of 2005.

 

For more information regarding Senator Clinton’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and security at Indian Point, visit: http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/environment/indian_point.cfm

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