“As the scope of the Indian Point relicensing process is further defined this week, I continue to believe that it is vital that the NRC consider the full range of public concerns about Indian Point. Indian Point’s location near a major population center raises unique questions that the existing relicensing process does not guarantee review of, such as emergency preparedness. Additionally, repeated operational and safety failures, like leaks from spent fuel pools, have prompted strong concerns regarding the aging plant’s impact on the environment and health of the surrounding communities. I believe it is critical that all relevant safety and security issues be reviewed, and I will continue to press to make sure that New Yorkers’ voices are heard during this process.”

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, and the NRC set a January 2007 deadline for having the system operational. Entergy applied for and received an extension of the deadline to April 15th, and subsequently missed the deadline. NRC fined Entergy $130,000 and Senator Clinton announced that she would sponsor Senate companion legislation to a bill to be sponsored in the U.S. House by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) and Congressman John Hall (D-Hudson Valley), that would steer fines levied by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for safety violations to counties surrounding nuclear facilities in order to assist them with emergency planning.

Last year, Senator Clinton announced that she would be asking the DHS inspector general to evaluate why Entergy has failed meet established deadlines to achieve operability of a new alert and notification system for the Indian Point nuclear power plant. Senator Clinton has also continued to call for the NRC to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) at Indian Point and has introduced legislation to require an ISA at the plant.

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