Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey today backed a call by Westchester County to have the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) redirect the siren fine levied against Entergy Nuclear Northeast for emergency planning in the areas surrounding Indian Point. In a letter to Regional Administrator Samuel J. Collins, Clinton and Lowey expressed support for the county's request that the fine be directed towards the four counties responsible for maintaining radiological emergency preparedness plans for the Indian Point Energy Center.

"Using the Entergy fine to improve emergency preparedness at the county level makes sense, and I urge the NRC to approve Westchester County's request," Senator Clinton said. "The funds from this fine would greatly assist the areas surrounding Indian Point to improve their emergency preparedness plans and help ensure the safety of local residents. I fully support Westchester County's request to redirect the entire NRC fine on Entergy for the four counties affected by the delayed Indian Point siren project."

"The cost of preparing for an emergency at Indian Point is a huge burden to the surrounding counties," Representative Lowey said. "As long as Entergy continues to incur fines for problems with sirens at Indian Point, it makes sense to redirect those funds to the counties so they can be used to prepare for and protect local residents in case of an emergency."

In July of 2005 Senator Clinton authored legislation included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requiring backup power for Indian Point's emergency notification system and complete installation of new emergency notification sirens in the areas around Indian Point. In February 2006 the NRC issued an order to implement the Senator's legislation. In January, Entergy was granted an extension until April 15, 2007. That deadline was not met and the NRC assessed a $130,000 fine on Entergy.

Congresswoman Lowey has repeatedly called for an Independent Safety Assessment of the Indian Point facility given its history of operational and safety mishaps. She has also introduced legislation requiring that any nuclear facility seeking a license renewal meet the same operational and safety standards a new facility would be forced to meet today. Under Lowey's bill, Indian Point would not be able to complete re-licensing until the new siren system is fully operational.

Earlier this week, the Commissioner of the Department of Emergencies Services for Westchester Country wrote to the NRC requesting that the sum from the fine be used for emergency preparedness spending in the areas impacted by Indian Point's failed siren system.

A copy of the Clinton-Lowey letter is below -

May 16, 2007

Mr. Samuel J. Collins
Regional Administrator
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Region 1
475 Allendale Road
King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

Dear Mr. Collins:

We write to you today to express our support for Westchester County's request that the entire Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) siren fine assessed to Entergy be directed toward emergency planning in the four counties tasked with maintaining radiological emergency preparedness plans for the Indian Point Energy Center.

As you know, Indian Point has experienced multiple safety and security deficiencies, including repeated failures of emergency sirens and leaks of contaminated water from spent fuel pools. Entergy's failure to meet its April deadline to have an operational siren system in place is unacceptable, and we appreciate the enforcement action taken by the NRC. The NRC now has an opportunity to further enhance safety around the plants.

We urge the NRC to direct to the four counties in which the siren system is located the funds from this fine to improve emergency preparedness.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt action and response.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Nita M. Lowey