U.S. Representative John Hall

N E W Y O R K’S 19th C O N G R E S S I O N A L D I S T R I C T

For Immediate Release, February 12, 2007

Hall Announces Bill to Require Indian Point ISA or Face Shut Down in 2013

New Bill Requires That Indian Point Comply With ISA Recommendations or Be Denied License Extension in 2013

Strict Standards for IP Re-Licensing in Bill Co-Sponsored by Lowey, Engel, Hinchey and Shays

Today Congressman John Hall will introduce legislation that will require an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) within six months. The bill will go beyond previous legislation to require the plant to comply with the ISA recommendations or be denied a license extension in 2013. The standard for compliance will go beyond standard Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) review for re-licensing to create a more in depth assessment of potential problems with the Indian Point Energy Center.

The bill will also establish the composition of a 25 member ISA team and a five member Citizens Review Team to ensure public accountability. The bill is also specifically targeted at Indian Point and does not apply to other facilities.

“Indian Point is the nation’s most problematic power plant in the nation’s most densely populated corridor, Hall said, “With 8% of the population of the United States within a 50 mile radius of the plant, our bill forces the NRC to give this plant the special attention it requires. This bill will force Entergy to do what it takes to run Indian Point safely or they won’t be able to run it at all.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) said, “No matter how many safety and operational malfunctions occur at Indian Point, the NRC refuses to execute a comprehensive analysis of safety and security measures at the plants. Local residents deserve assurance that everything possible is being done to secure this facility. Until NRC takes action to ensure the safety of our communities, my colleagues and I will fight to force NRC to perform an ISA at Indian Point.”

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) said, “In the absence of any real enforcement by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding Indian Point’s offenses, an Independent Safety Assessment is a vital step in assuring that the employees, the residents of the immediate area, and indeed the whole metropolitan area are kept safe. Radioactive waste is leaking from Indian Point and Entergy cannot find the source of that leak. Now radioactive waste is being found in fish in the Hudson River. This is unacceptable.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) sad, “It’s pretty clear that the vast majority of New York residents are troubled about the safety of Indian Point and unfortunately those concerns are not unwarranted. From trouble with alarms at the plant to known leaks of radioactive material, Indian Point is not functioning properly, which is why we need a comprehensive Independent Safety Assessment. This measure is improved from the one we introduced last year and will help identify the steps we need to take to help safeguard New Yorkers from the nuclear power plant that is their neighbor.”

Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) said, “Indian Point’s location near highly populated areas means we have to go the extra mile to ensure it is safe. This legislation will ensure that if Indian Point continues to run, it meets strict safety standards and is continually monitored.”

Hall’s bill:

§ Requires the completion of an Independent Safety Assessment at IPEC within 6 months of passage

§ Requires the ISA to be completed and any recommended repairs or actions to be fully implemented prior to NRC renewal of IPEC’s license

§ Requires the NRC and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to complete a detailed evaluation of the radiological emergency plan for Indian Point.

§ Specifies that the ISA will be conducted by a 25 member team composed of 16 NRC officials not from NRC Region 1, 6 independent contractors, and three NYS appointees.

§ Specifies that the ISA will be monitored by a 4 member ISA Observation Group appointed by NY State, as well as a Citizens’ Review Team composed of five individuals appointed by NY, with one resident from each Emergency Planning Zone county.

§ Authorizes $10 million to carry out the ISA.