“Kelly Calls for Temporary Shutdown of Indian Point”

Kelly Calls for Temporary Shutdown of Indian Point

Urges NRC, FEMA to Resolve Issues Raised in Witt Report

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Sue Kelly (R-Katonah) today issued the following statement regarding the Witt Report on Indian Point:

“All along, my top priority has been to make Indian Point as safe as possible because the plant is an important source of energy for our region. Today, with the frank conclusions of this independent report, I am calling for the temporary shutdown of Indian Point until concerns raised by the Witt report are fully resolved.

“It is clear that current safety plans at Indian Point are inadequate. The Witt report itself states that the current evacuation plans ‘are not adequate…to protect the people.’ That is simply unacceptable.

“Our community cannot be left unprotected while the plant is still running. Until I can look my constituents in the eye and tell them they are protected by the plan, I believe the plant should be shut down.

“The Witt report shows that the NRC and FEMA are operating with a pre-September 11 mentality when it comes to safety plans at Indian Point. That must change immediately.

“The report has revealed significant problems that must be dealt with immediately by the NRC and FEMA. I have today written to both agencies urging them in the strongest terms to immediately begin addressing the issues raised in the Witt report and I will work with the rest of the area’s congressional delegation to see that this happens.”