Indian Point Opponents, Supporters Speak--and Sing--at NRC Safety Hearing

Supporters and opponents of the Indian Point nuclear power plants spoke at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual safety hearing on Indian Point, held May 20 in Tarrytown.

About 400 people attended, according to lohud.com.

Among them were opponents of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline expansion project. That’s who the singing came from.

The pipeline runs next to the Indian Point plant on its way from Pennsylvania to Canada, and Spectra Energy’s plans to expand it pose a dire threat to 20 million people who live in the NY metropolitan area, they said.

They said that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission based its approval of the first phase of the project on the NRC’s confirmation of Entergy’s safety analysis—which used a pipeline rupture model that is specifically prohibited in this circumstance. Paul Blanch, a nuclear expert and Rick Kuprewicz, pipeline expert, believe that its conclusion that the gas valves could be closed prior to major nuclear damage is unsubstantiated and unrealistic.

They sang “NRC is a Rubber Stamp Machine,” a ditty they introduced at a recent public meeting in Yorktown, where Spectra talked about the second phase of its Algonquin expansion.

Supporters, including the Teamsters union, which represents many plant workers, and The Westchester Business Council, also spoke.

Here is part of the statement by Bernadette Kelly, International Representative assigned to the New York Region and Assistant Trustee of Teamsters Local 456.

Indian Point is a safe place to work and is the backbone of Westchester’s economy. The facility’s commitment to organized labor and to its employees has been long-documented providing good, stable middle class jobs. Plant personnel receive more job-related training than those of any other industry. Employees also undergo extensive training every few weeks and are tested regularly on their safety skills, as it should be.

As the recent events show us, they are prepared for any situation that occurs. Teamster members know that safety is the highest priority at Indian Point, and if we had any doubt about that we would not work there, let alone live near it, as many of us do with our families.

Here is part of the statement by John Ravitz, executive vice president and COO of The Business Council of Westchester.

The Business Council of Westchester commissioned a report titled “An Assessment of Energy Needs in Westchester County” that found the closing of Indian Point would have a catastrophic impact on the region, resulting in higher electric rates for businesses and consumers, more power outages, a rapid rise in carbon emissions and a devastating blow to Westchester’s economy. The report stated that the closure of Indian Point would result in the elimination of 3,300 local jobs, $75 million in revenue funding for local services and millions more in economic development resources.

While the economic and environmental arguments in favor of Indian Point are clear, the plant’s continued safe operations transcend all considerations. Our organization supports the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s stringent oversight of plant operations and its commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety for all our country’s nuclear power plants. As the former Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Westchester County, I have toured the plant on numerous occasions and participated in safety and preparedness drills and exercises.

The Business Council of Westchester believes that Entergy has a strong commitment in ensuring safety standards are maintained and exceeded by the more than 1,000 employees at the Indian Point facility. Our organization will continue to support your critical role to ensure the highest standards of safety are observed and maintained at Indian Point. In addition, as outlined in the above mentioned compelling reasons we will continue to advocate for the license renewal of the facility.

PHOTO tweeted by Indian Point Energy

SEE: Letter to the Editor: FERC is a ‘Rubber Stamp Machine’