The relicensing of the reactors at IP 2 and 3 must be stopped. Even if you feel that nuclear power may offer some advantages, the reactors at Indian Point are located in the wrong place. The risks are just too great.

The steering committee of the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition would like to provide you with this overview of the relicensing process. This is part one in a three part series. The first, this one, deals with actions individuals can take. The second will outline the process of relicensing. The third part deals with what is currently happening to prevent relicensing.

Remember that there are a great many unknowns and a court case or Congressional action could change the dates of many items. You may find it helpful to file this tentative guide away for future reference.

Here is what you can do NOW! Pick one action and do it!

Write, not e-mail, a note to Gov. David A. Paterson, and tell him why closing Indian Point is important to you. Ask him to use the power of his office to prevent the relicensing of the reactors at Indian Point. Use a note card and don't make a big deal out of formal terms of address or anything else. Just get something in the mail. This is something you can do with your kids. Here is the address: Governor David A. Paterson, Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, New York, 12224. You can fax him at 518-474-1513.

If you prefer, write Attorney General Cuomo. Thank Cuomo for his involvement in Westchester County's court case to expand the criteria for relicensing. Ask him to continue to use the power of his office to prevent the relicensing of the reactors at Indian Point. The address is New York State Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, New York, 12224. If you prefer to call, you can reach his office at 518- 474-7330.

Talk to your friends and neighbors about Indian Point. Give them the facts they don't see in the media. Share your concerns and listen to their questions. If you need help with answers, call 1-888-I-Shut-It.

If you can do more, arrange a get together of friends or colleagues focused on Indian Point. Call the IPSEC Speakers Bureau so that you can have someone there to help answer the tough questions.

(1-888-474-8848)

Most people cannot spend a lot of time on closing Indian Point but everybody can do something. Empower yourself and act now!

Sincerely,

The IPSEC Steering Committee

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The Relicensing Process

This is a summary of how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducts the relicensing process. Many other meetings and maneuvers will happen as details are clarified and things unfold. You can call the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition at 1-888-474-8848 for more information. Leave a message and you will hear from us promptly.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects that the relicensing will take approximately 30 months.

The process is geared to keep the plants running for another 20 years. They have approved every application they have accepted. Many reactors around the country have already been re licensed without a hitch or any opposition from the community where they are sited.

The NRC will only look at two things: the management of aging equipment and environmental impacts.

Under current regulations nothing else counts. Not the phony evacuation plan, not the radioactive isotopes currently leaking into the Hudson River not the many other points we have raised repeatedly over the years. Now that the application has been formally accepted there is a 30-day period for comment and filing contentions, or objections to things in the application process. It is probable that some of these contentions will lay important groundwork for court action at the end of the relicensing process.

Two separate committees of experts, selected by the NRC, will be convened on both of these aspects, aging equipment and the environment. They will study the issues and each committee will prepare a draft report. The preliminary results will be presented at a public meeting. These meetings are not transcribed; the experts will be there to present the draft and take note of what the public has to say. It will be very important for people to turn out for these meetings.

The drafts will, theoretically, be revised as a result of the public hearings and will be submitted to the Commissioner of the NRC. A decision will be rendered and no matter what it is, it will probably be appealed either by Entergy or by us. The first appeal must be directed to the commissioner of the NRC. After the Commissioner renders his decision on the appeal, there is one last appeal. That appeal is to the court system. This is where the contentions that were previously filed may really count.

That's the overview of the process. As you can see it is lengthy, bureaucratic and confusing. Pubic awareness and involvement is key because that is what will motivate politicians and perhaps lead to legislative action.

Part three will deal with what is happening now to stop the process and prevent relicensing.

If you need information call the IPSEC hotline at 1-888-474-8848.