W H A T   I S   I P S E C ?

The Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC), formed shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, is a coalition of over 70 environmental, health, and public policy organizations concerned with the vulnerability of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan, NY and the radioactive waste it produces, both to internal incidents and to external accidents or acts of terrorism. IPSEC has mobilized to call for its closure, orderly decommissioning, and securing of the irradiated fuel pools.

Located 40 miles from Ground Zero in the most densely populated region of the country (20 million people live within a 50-mile radius of the nuclear plant), Indian Point is a risk to women, men, children, the environment, and the financial stability of the United States.

According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the construction of a nuclear power facility in such a densely populated area would not be approved today. The Price Andersen Act of 1957 shields insurance companies from covering damages incurred from a nuclear disaster, so homeowners, renters, and business owners would be responsible for any damage or loss. Entergy, the Louisiana-based company that owns Indian Point, has shielded itself from the full risks and damages associated with operating the plant through an elaborate limited liability structure, placing profit and production above the safety of those who live in this region. IPSEC members believe this is a serious miscarriage of social and economic justice.

Through grassroots mobilization, IPSEC has rallied support from citizens and elected officials in Hudson Valley, New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey. 52 municipalities and 13 community boards have passed a “Close Indian Point” resolution. Over 400 elected and public officials in the tri-state region, including 11 members of Congress, are calling for the closure of Indian Point.

The region has already begun the fight to stop Entergy’s anticipated bid to re-license Indian Point for an additional 20 years.  The company could submit a re-licensing application as early as January, 2007.  A new resolution opposing Indian Point’s re-licensing is being circulated throughout the 50-mile radius.  To date, 30 municipalities, including 4 Counties (Westchester, Rockland, Ulster and Hudson, NJ) have passed resolutions opposing IP's Relicensing. Click here to download the resolution to present to your elected officials!

While we face a major opponent, we are convinced that, by educating our community about the plant’s dangers and alternative energy choices available, Indian Point will be closed and decommissioned.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to close Indian Point.

 HOW DID IPSEC GET STARTED?

The coalition began with a handful of people (primarily the long-time activists) meeting in people’s living rooms and has grown at a fairly steady rate to its present size and diversity of composition.  Notably, the coalition includes numerous groups that are not anti-nuclear. Many IPSEC members believe that IP poses a UNIQUE post-9/11 threat.

 HOW HAS IPSEC WORKED TOWARDS ITS GOALS?

 The activities of the alliance can be broken down into the following four categories: 

  1. a public education effort (including giving numerous lectures, media interviews, issuing press releases, participating in forums, writing articles, producing a documentary, etc.);
  2. a campaign to educate elected officials who are not yet knowledgeable about the critical nature of the issue and to coordinate efforts with those who are already supportive of IPSEC's goals (this includes meetings with and numerous letters to public representatives, as well as providing briefing documents and testifying at hearings); 
  3. activist political actions (e.g., demonstrations and rallies); and
  4. serving as a conduit of information to certain government agencies and as a public watchdog over others.

 WHAT ARE THE LARGEST OBSTACLES TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR GOALS? 

  1. The non-profit community has much less money than the industries it struggles against.  Entergy is a $9 billion corporation that has spent millions on its PR campaign and is part of the powerful nuclear industry lobby.
  2. The second obstacle is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which acts as the lapdog rather than the watchdog of the nuclear industry.
  3. The complexity of the issue and concomitant ignorance of the public, the media, and most government officials.

 WHAT ARE THE COALITION'S PRIMARY STRENGTHS?

The dedication, integrity and resolve of the citizens and groups of IPSEC.  From the Boston Tea Party, through abolition, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement, to the 9/11 families fighting for the establishment of a 9/11 Comission, America's civic history is the story of relatively small collectives of concerned individuals taking on powerful interest groups and being willing to challenge highly questionable government policies and actions.

IPSEC

PO BOX 134

Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

1-888-I-SHUT-IT (1-888-474-8848)

  Email:  Webmanager and IPSEC Project Coordinator

Copyright (c) 2003-2006 IPSEC

 

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