Cuomo wants nuke plant shut
var isoPubDate = 'July 13, 2007'
By Greg BrunoTimes Herald-Record July 13, 2007
Albany — State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has thrown his weight behind efforts to shutter the Indian Point power station, his office said yesterday.
In a statement, Cuomo announced his support for a legal battle being waged by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The NRC is reviewing a request by plant owner Energy Nuclear Northeast to renew Indian Point's operating licenses by 20 years. Spano's suit claims the NRC's relicensing process fails to properly consider public safety, emergency planning and other issues.
A friend of the court brief filed by Cuomo supports Spano's assertion, and calls on the federal agency to broaden its license review criteria.
"This brief raises serious questions about the NRC relicensing process — a process that ignores important factors about nuclear power plant safety and is stacked in favor of plant operators," Cuomo said.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal joined Cuomo in filing the amicus brief.
"Our brief reinforces a position I have long held: New York needs to work toward an energy future without Indian Point," Cuomo said.
Plant supporters, however, were predictably sharp-tongued in dismissing that possibility.
"In light of our growing demand for and the rising cost of energy, Mr. Cuomo's announcement is short-sighted and ignores the energy needs of the downstate area," said Jerry Kremer, chairman of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance. "New York's state officials should be looking for ways to create new electric power and not look for ways to choke off what we have."
Friday, July 13, 2007
Westchester appeals NRC’s Indian Point relicensing criteria decision
Westchester appeals NRC’s Indian Point relicensing criteria decision
White Plains – The County of Westchester Thursday filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s denial of the county’s petition to change its relicensing criteria for the Indian Point nuclear power plants.
County Executive Andrew Spano said the NRC should have granted the county’s petition or told the officials they needed more information. “They should have held a public hearing,” he said. “Operating a nuclear power plant in 2007 is far different than in 1995 when relicensing criteria was last looked at.”
Spano said Entergy and Indian Point should be judged on how they have been operating. “Indian Point has siren problems. Indian Point has environmental problems,” he said. “Just because it is here now, is not a reason for it to be here for the next 20 years. The NRC must put aside any bias toward the nuclear industry and consider all these issues.”
Westchester was joined in its appeal with the New Jersey Environmental Federation and the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal both filed friend of the court briefs.
Meanwhile, anti-Indian Point environmental groups Clearwater, Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson commended Cuomo for joining in the Indian Point appeal.
But, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance said Indian Point “is a safe facility whose continued operation is critical to New York’s economy, improving the state’s air quality, and ensuring that New York reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly in the coming years.
White Plains – The County of Westchester Thursday filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s denial of the county’s petition to change its relicensing criteria for the Indian Point nuclear power plants.
County Executive Andrew Spano said the NRC should have granted the county’s petition or told the officials they needed more information. “They should have held a public hearing,” he said. “Operating a nuclear power plant in 2007 is far different than in 1995 when relicensing criteria was last looked at.”
Spano said Entergy and Indian Point should be judged on how they have been operating. “Indian Point has siren problems. Indian Point has environmental problems,” he said. “Just because it is here now, is not a reason for it to be here for the next 20 years. The NRC must put aside any bias toward the nuclear industry and consider all these issues.”
Westchester was joined in its appeal with the New Jersey Environmental Federation and the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal both filed friend of the court briefs.
Meanwhile, anti-Indian Point environmental groups Clearwater, Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson commended Cuomo for joining in the Indian Point appeal.
But, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance said Indian Point “is a safe facility whose continued operation is critical to New York’s economy, improving the state’s air quality, and ensuring that New York reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly in the coming years.
Westchester suit against federal nuclear regulators gains state support
Westchester suit against federal nuclear regulators gains state support
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 13, 2007)
WHITE PLAINS -State attorneys general from New York and Connecticut weighed in on Indian Point's relicensing yesterday, supporting a Westchester lawsuit to force federal regulators to evaluate working nuclear plants the same way they do new sites.
"This brief raises serious questions about the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) relicensing process - a process that ignores important factors about nuclear power plant safety and is stacked in favor of plant operators," Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a prepared statement.
"Our brief reinforces a position I have long held," Cuomo said. "New York needs to work toward an energy future without Indian Point."
Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano yesterday followed through on a February promise to take the case to federal court after the NRC denied the county's petition to change relicensing criteria.
Spano sought to have the agency look at population density, the viability of emergency evacuation plans, potential for terrorism and a plant's environmental record.
He said the federal regulations were adopted in 1991 and amended in 1995, too far removed from today's world.
"We live in a different age since 2001," Spano said. "To be responsible, the NRC cannot continue doing things the way they were done previously."
Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal also supports the legal action.
NRC spokesman Diane Screnci declined comment on the matter yesterday, saying the agency can't publicly discuss any court case.
Screnci did say that Indian Point's relicensing application, which was filed April 30 and normally takes six to eight weeks to be accepted, had not yet been approved for processing.
NRC officials said in rejecting Spano's original petition that the proposed changes were unwarranted. The agency looks almost exclusively at the operation of whatever plant is seeking a 20-year license renewal.
Factors such as demographics, siting and the ability to conduct an effective emergency evacuation are not part of the relicensing application. The agency says it considers those in ongoing reviews.
Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which owns and operates Indian Point 2 and Indian Point 3 in Buchanan, announced plans the day before Thanksgiving to apply for license extensions for both plants. If granted, the renewals would allow the plants to operate until 2033 and 2035, respectively.
The original 40-year licenses for Indian Point 2 will expire in 2013. A similar license for Indian Point 3 will expire in 2015.
"The NRC's refusal to require consideration of emergency planning and security concerns as part of Indian Point's relicensing review is unjustifiable, given the significant changes in population density, increase in traffic congestion and increased concerns over terrorism in the New York metropolitan area," said Alex Matthiessen, president of the environmental group Riverkeeper.
Matthiessen said the attorney general's support was welcome.
Jerry Kremer, chairman of the industry group New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, said the plant was a safe facility that was important to the state's economy and air quality.
"In light of our growing demand for and the rising cost of energy, Mr. Cuomo's announcement is shortsighted and ignores the energy needs of the downstate area," Kremer said. "New York's state officials should be looking for ways to create new electric power and not look for ways to choke off what we have."
The case is expected to be heard in mid-October.
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 13, 2007)
WHITE PLAINS -State attorneys general from New York and Connecticut weighed in on Indian Point's relicensing yesterday, supporting a Westchester lawsuit to force federal regulators to evaluate working nuclear plants the same way they do new sites.
"This brief raises serious questions about the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) relicensing process - a process that ignores important factors about nuclear power plant safety and is stacked in favor of plant operators," Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a prepared statement.
"Our brief reinforces a position I have long held," Cuomo said. "New York needs to work toward an energy future without Indian Point."
Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano yesterday followed through on a February promise to take the case to federal court after the NRC denied the county's petition to change relicensing criteria.
Spano sought to have the agency look at population density, the viability of emergency evacuation plans, potential for terrorism and a plant's environmental record.
He said the federal regulations were adopted in 1991 and amended in 1995, too far removed from today's world.
"We live in a different age since 2001," Spano said. "To be responsible, the NRC cannot continue doing things the way they were done previously."
Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal also supports the legal action.
NRC spokesman Diane Screnci declined comment on the matter yesterday, saying the agency can't publicly discuss any court case.
Screnci did say that Indian Point's relicensing application, which was filed April 30 and normally takes six to eight weeks to be accepted, had not yet been approved for processing.
NRC officials said in rejecting Spano's original petition that the proposed changes were unwarranted. The agency looks almost exclusively at the operation of whatever plant is seeking a 20-year license renewal.
Factors such as demographics, siting and the ability to conduct an effective emergency evacuation are not part of the relicensing application. The agency says it considers those in ongoing reviews.
Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which owns and operates Indian Point 2 and Indian Point 3 in Buchanan, announced plans the day before Thanksgiving to apply for license extensions for both plants. If granted, the renewals would allow the plants to operate until 2033 and 2035, respectively.
The original 40-year licenses for Indian Point 2 will expire in 2013. A similar license for Indian Point 3 will expire in 2015.
"The NRC's refusal to require consideration of emergency planning and security concerns as part of Indian Point's relicensing review is unjustifiable, given the significant changes in population density, increase in traffic congestion and increased concerns over terrorism in the New York metropolitan area," said Alex Matthiessen, president of the environmental group Riverkeeper.
Matthiessen said the attorney general's support was welcome.
Jerry Kremer, chairman of the industry group New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance, said the plant was a safe facility that was important to the state's economy and air quality.
"In light of our growing demand for and the rising cost of energy, Mr. Cuomo's announcement is shortsighted and ignores the energy needs of the downstate area," Kremer said. "New York's state officials should be looking for ways to create new electric power and not look for ways to choke off what we have."
The case is expected to be heard in mid-October.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
NRC issues draft EIS for James A. FitzPatrick license renewal application
NRC issues draft EIS for James A. FitzPatrick license renewal application
Washington -- NRC staff will accept public comments on Wednesday, Aug. 1 on a draft report that assesses the environmental impacts of extending the operating license of the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant in Scriba, N.Y. In August 2006, Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which operates the single-reactor plant, submitted an application to renew the license for an additional 20 years.
There will be two meetings on Aug. 1 at which comments will be taken. One session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Both meetings are planned for the Scriba Municipal Building, at 42 Creamery Road in Scriba. NRC staff will be available for an hour prior to the start of each meeting for informal discussions of the report.
The draft report, known as the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, was issued on June 8.
As part of its license renewal application, the company submitted an environmental report. The NRC staff reviewed the report and performed an on-site audit. The staff also considered comments made during what’s known as the environmental scoping process, including comments offered at public meetings held on Oct. 12, 2006 in Scriba.
Based on its review, the NRC staff has preliminarily recommended that the Commission determine the adverse environmental impacts of license renewal for the FitzPatrick plant is not so great that preserving the option of license renewal for energy planning decision-makers would be unreasonable. This recommendation is based on the analysis and findings in the agency’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement on license renewal; the environmental report submitted by Entergy; consultation with federal, state and local agencies; the NRC staff’s own independent review; and the NRC staff’s consideration of public comments.
Washington -- NRC staff will accept public comments on Wednesday, Aug. 1 on a draft report that assesses the environmental impacts of extending the operating license of the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant in Scriba, N.Y. In August 2006, Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which operates the single-reactor plant, submitted an application to renew the license for an additional 20 years.
There will be two meetings on Aug. 1 at which comments will be taken. One session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Both meetings are planned for the Scriba Municipal Building, at 42 Creamery Road in Scriba. NRC staff will be available for an hour prior to the start of each meeting for informal discussions of the report.
The draft report, known as the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, was issued on June 8.
As part of its license renewal application, the company submitted an environmental report. The NRC staff reviewed the report and performed an on-site audit. The staff also considered comments made during what’s known as the environmental scoping process, including comments offered at public meetings held on Oct. 12, 2006 in Scriba.
Based on its review, the NRC staff has preliminarily recommended that the Commission determine the adverse environmental impacts of license renewal for the FitzPatrick plant is not so great that preserving the option of license renewal for energy planning decision-makers would be unreasonable. This recommendation is based on the analysis and findings in the agency’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement on license renewal; the environmental report submitted by Entergy; consultation with federal, state and local agencies; the NRC staff’s own independent review; and the NRC staff’s consideration of public comments.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Entergy loses battle with US Regulators
Entergy loses battle with U.S. regulators
Company wanted control over rates
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
By Pam Radtke Russell
A move by Entergy Corp. to give itself a larger say in dividing up the costs of new power plants was rebuffed last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
"It was a really inappropriate attempt to do an end run around local regulatory authority," said Clint Vince, an attorney for the New Orleans City Council on utility issues.
In March, Entergy asked FERC to cede much of its responsibility in determining electric rates between states. In its request, Entergy said if its own Operating Committee decides that a new power plant will serve all of Entergy's five-state system, and the state regulator where the plant is acquired says Entergy's decision to expand is prudent, that FERC should limit its ability to second-guess that state's decision.
FERC ruled against Entergy's request Friday, saying delegating such authority to a state commission would violate its obligations under the Federal Power Act.
State regulators in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as the city of New Orleans, which regulates Entergy New Orleans, opposed the request.
Currently, states can appeal to FERC if they disagree with a decision made in another state that affects them. Had the FERC ruled in Entergy's favor, it would have been much more difficult for regulators in one state to appeal a decision made in another state.
New Orleans found such an appeal necessary after Entergy built the $3.8 billion Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Port Gibson, Miss., Vince said.
Originally, Entergy said New Orleans residents should pay 30 percent of the Mississippi plant's cost. After appealing that decision to FERC, the city managed to get the amount reduced to 17 percent.
"When you have a multistate system like Entergy, you need to have a federal referee," Vince said. "Local regulators try to get lower rates for their customers and push them off," on customers in other jurisdictions.
In requesting the change, Entergy claimed a 2005 decision by FERC, which requires electric rates to be roughly equal between all of its operating companies, adds too much uncertainty in knowing which customers will pay for a new power plant.
Under the 2005 system agreement, customers of Entergy Arkansas have to pay more for power, while Entergy's customers in Louisiana and Mississippi will receive about $284 million over the next year to "equalize" rates. Entergy argued that the system agreement will trigger a recalculation of those amounts every time a new power plant is brought online.
But Mike Fontham, an attorney for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, says that nothing has changed.
"It's no more or less uncertain than it ever was," Fontham said. Entergy also requested that if FERC ruled against the company on the larger issue, that FERC decide that the utility's decision to buy a power plant in Calcasieu Parish is prudent now, months before the sale is complete. Such a decision would limit the future ability of state regulators to question Entergy's purchase.
FERC also ruled against that request.
Entergy did not comment on the rulings.
Company wanted control over rates
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
By Pam Radtke Russell
A move by Entergy Corp. to give itself a larger say in dividing up the costs of new power plants was rebuffed last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
"It was a really inappropriate attempt to do an end run around local regulatory authority," said Clint Vince, an attorney for the New Orleans City Council on utility issues.
In March, Entergy asked FERC to cede much of its responsibility in determining electric rates between states. In its request, Entergy said if its own Operating Committee decides that a new power plant will serve all of Entergy's five-state system, and the state regulator where the plant is acquired says Entergy's decision to expand is prudent, that FERC should limit its ability to second-guess that state's decision.
FERC ruled against Entergy's request Friday, saying delegating such authority to a state commission would violate its obligations under the Federal Power Act.
State regulators in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as the city of New Orleans, which regulates Entergy New Orleans, opposed the request.
Currently, states can appeal to FERC if they disagree with a decision made in another state that affects them. Had the FERC ruled in Entergy's favor, it would have been much more difficult for regulators in one state to appeal a decision made in another state.
New Orleans found such an appeal necessary after Entergy built the $3.8 billion Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Port Gibson, Miss., Vince said.
Originally, Entergy said New Orleans residents should pay 30 percent of the Mississippi plant's cost. After appealing that decision to FERC, the city managed to get the amount reduced to 17 percent.
"When you have a multistate system like Entergy, you need to have a federal referee," Vince said. "Local regulators try to get lower rates for their customers and push them off," on customers in other jurisdictions.
In requesting the change, Entergy claimed a 2005 decision by FERC, which requires electric rates to be roughly equal between all of its operating companies, adds too much uncertainty in knowing which customers will pay for a new power plant.
Under the 2005 system agreement, customers of Entergy Arkansas have to pay more for power, while Entergy's customers in Louisiana and Mississippi will receive about $284 million over the next year to "equalize" rates. Entergy argued that the system agreement will trigger a recalculation of those amounts every time a new power plant is brought online.
But Mike Fontham, an attorney for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, says that nothing has changed.
"It's no more or less uncertain than it ever was," Fontham said. Entergy also requested that if FERC ruled against the company on the larger issue, that FERC decide that the utility's decision to buy a power plant in Calcasieu Parish is prudent now, months before the sale is complete. Such a decision would limit the future ability of state regulators to question Entergy's purchase.
FERC also ruled against that request.
Entergy did not comment on the rulings.
Entergy plays Paramount role
TALKING POINTS: Entergy plays Paramount role
By Bruce Apar, Editor-in-Chief + Publisher
‘Peeskill’s Paramount Center for the Arts turned 77 years young last week, and it’s 30 years since the pleasure dome flirted with a demolition ball before being rescued by the City of Peekskill under Mayors Fred Bianco and his successor, George Pataki. Lately, it has been livin’ large. Paramount Center Executive Director Jon Yanofsky told us he believes the 10 sold-out shows so far this year exceeds the number of capacity crowds for any six-month period since it opened in 1930. A $1.5 million capital reconstruction program launched in 2003 is the catalyst behind today’s highly improved auditorium, lobby, concession stand and restrooms. Last week, Mr. Yanofsky toasted three key institutional sponsors as he and General Manager Scott Seltzer – the focused, hard-working team that drives the Paramount’s phoenix-like success -- hosted an intimate circle of local business, government and cultural leaders in the lobby for a Donor & Funder Recognition Reception.“Three sandblasted glass panels have been installed in the lobby area over the front doors,” reads a press release, “acknowledging the tremendous support the Paramount has received from its three largest supporters: the City of Peekskill, George Pataki, and Entergy.”Quoting HepburnStanding in for Mayor John Testa, Deputy Mayor Cathy Pisani quoted regal actress Katharine Hepburn: “If you survive long enough, you’re revered like an old building.” She spoke of how this old building had fought its way back through the decades from “total dilapidation,” and now “the momentum is there.”"Ms. Pisani added “Music and arts are necessities of the community. We must keep the Paramount and what it stands for, because the vitality of Peekskill hinges on the success of its downtown area.” The operation runs on its own financial flow, with no subsidies from the City.Another source of funding, Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, of Ossining, recalled how she frequented the venue when it was a movie theater. “It’s so gorgeous and classy.”A $1 million grant secured one year ago by then-Governor Pataki through the Empire State Development Fund helped purchase new sound and lighting systems, and goes a long way to paying for the next upgrades: a $400,000 annex behind the structure to house a modernized loading dock and new dresssing rooms. Then there’s the singular support Paramount Center receives from Entergy, known hereabouts as the owner-operator of the twin plants at Indian Point Energy Center in Montrose.
Nuclear booster“It’s important [for us] to help this community, not because we run a nuclear plant, but because our employees work in this community,” Michael Kansler, President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Entergy Nuclear, told the guests.Routinely demonized by ardent opponents of nuclear energy and nuclear plants in densely populated areas, it is no shock that Entergy is intent on softening its image, as a patron of the arts, just as it makes sense for the community to say thanks for that role rather than ignore it or take it for granted. Mr. Yanofsky pointed out that part of Entergy’s largesse was providing a $100,000 challenge grant that the Paramount was able to match. He said Mike Kansler “takes personal pride in restoring the theater to the state we are in today. Entergy is the ideal corporate supporter, always asking how they can help and what do we need.” Also on hand at the reception was Paramount Center Board of Trustees President Paul Rubin, an Entergy executive who first got the company fully behind the Peekskill cultural mecca. So there you have it: Entergy’s artsy side. “There are different angles to any object,” mused Mr. Yanofsky. “Things are never as monolithic as [some people] want to make it.” Or as ominous.
By Bruce Apar, Editor-in-Chief + Publisher
‘Peeskill’s Paramount Center for the Arts turned 77 years young last week, and it’s 30 years since the pleasure dome flirted with a demolition ball before being rescued by the City of Peekskill under Mayors Fred Bianco and his successor, George Pataki. Lately, it has been livin’ large. Paramount Center Executive Director Jon Yanofsky told us he believes the 10 sold-out shows so far this year exceeds the number of capacity crowds for any six-month period since it opened in 1930. A $1.5 million capital reconstruction program launched in 2003 is the catalyst behind today’s highly improved auditorium, lobby, concession stand and restrooms. Last week, Mr. Yanofsky toasted three key institutional sponsors as he and General Manager Scott Seltzer – the focused, hard-working team that drives the Paramount’s phoenix-like success -- hosted an intimate circle of local business, government and cultural leaders in the lobby for a Donor & Funder Recognition Reception.“Three sandblasted glass panels have been installed in the lobby area over the front doors,” reads a press release, “acknowledging the tremendous support the Paramount has received from its three largest supporters: the City of Peekskill, George Pataki, and Entergy.”Quoting HepburnStanding in for Mayor John Testa, Deputy Mayor Cathy Pisani quoted regal actress Katharine Hepburn: “If you survive long enough, you’re revered like an old building.” She spoke of how this old building had fought its way back through the decades from “total dilapidation,” and now “the momentum is there.”"Ms. Pisani added “Music and arts are necessities of the community. We must keep the Paramount and what it stands for, because the vitality of Peekskill hinges on the success of its downtown area.” The operation runs on its own financial flow, with no subsidies from the City.Another source of funding, Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, of Ossining, recalled how she frequented the venue when it was a movie theater. “It’s so gorgeous and classy.”A $1 million grant secured one year ago by then-Governor Pataki through the Empire State Development Fund helped purchase new sound and lighting systems, and goes a long way to paying for the next upgrades: a $400,000 annex behind the structure to house a modernized loading dock and new dresssing rooms. Then there’s the singular support Paramount Center receives from Entergy, known hereabouts as the owner-operator of the twin plants at Indian Point Energy Center in Montrose.
Nuclear booster“It’s important [for us] to help this community, not because we run a nuclear plant, but because our employees work in this community,” Michael Kansler, President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Entergy Nuclear, told the guests.Routinely demonized by ardent opponents of nuclear energy and nuclear plants in densely populated areas, it is no shock that Entergy is intent on softening its image, as a patron of the arts, just as it makes sense for the community to say thanks for that role rather than ignore it or take it for granted. Mr. Yanofsky pointed out that part of Entergy’s largesse was providing a $100,000 challenge grant that the Paramount was able to match. He said Mike Kansler “takes personal pride in restoring the theater to the state we are in today. Entergy is the ideal corporate supporter, always asking how they can help and what do we need.” Also on hand at the reception was Paramount Center Board of Trustees President Paul Rubin, an Entergy executive who first got the company fully behind the Peekskill cultural mecca. So there you have it: Entergy’s artsy side. “There are different angles to any object,” mused Mr. Yanofsky. “Things are never as monolithic as [some people] want to make it.” Or as ominous.
Entergy says it will meet new deadline for their new Indian Point warning system
Entergy says it will meet new deadline for their new Indian Point warning system
Cortlandt Manor – August 24 is now the magic day for Entergy to have the new 150-siren alert system ready. Director of Emergency Planning Mike Slobidien told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Monday night that deadline is doable, and that includes having backups if there are problems with any of the sirens.
“If the sirens are out of service, it’s a great concern to us, but there are multiple means of making notification to the public,” he said.
The new system has a lot of features the old system does not have, including independent and redundant backup batteries for each siren. Using a form of ‘reverse-911’ outbound calls would be the ultimate backup, if there are problems.
Dan O’Neill is mayor of the Village of Buchanan, hometown to the nuclear reactors.
“I am also am happy that the notification system according to Westchester County officials will not only concern Indian Point, but other areas of essential danger like the Croton Dam and the Kensico Dam.”
Westchester County Emergency Services Commissioner Anthony Sutton, representing the four counties in the alert radius, said they hope things work out, this time. “We remain to be skeptical because we’ve lived this experience for many years now with the old siren system and with the construction and implementation of the new siren system. We’re cautiously optimistic. We’re committed to working with Entergy and the regulators to get it done because it’s really an important part of our system.”
NRC Regional Administrator Sam Collins said the really important point now is for Entergy, which earlier this year was fined $130,000 for missing the first deadline, to show significant progress.
“As a regulatory agency, we get down to the 24th and the system is operable but hasn’t completed all the internal reviews, we want to be able to say ‘that’s reasonable’, and an extension is or is not warranted going forward in that approach. Planning in the window is very important as far as working with FEMA to insure that adequate time for review, the data submitted on time is accurate, whatever support is appropriate to reasonably attempt to meet that schedule.”
The two-hour discussion involving the Entergy, the NRC and FEMA, was followed by a public comment period, but attendance was sparse. Only about 40 people, compared to about 300 who packed the same banquet hall for the relicensing kick-off meeting two weeks ago.
Cortlandt Manor – August 24 is now the magic day for Entergy to have the new 150-siren alert system ready. Director of Emergency Planning Mike Slobidien told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Monday night that deadline is doable, and that includes having backups if there are problems with any of the sirens.
“If the sirens are out of service, it’s a great concern to us, but there are multiple means of making notification to the public,” he said.
The new system has a lot of features the old system does not have, including independent and redundant backup batteries for each siren. Using a form of ‘reverse-911’ outbound calls would be the ultimate backup, if there are problems.
Dan O’Neill is mayor of the Village of Buchanan, hometown to the nuclear reactors.
“I am also am happy that the notification system according to Westchester County officials will not only concern Indian Point, but other areas of essential danger like the Croton Dam and the Kensico Dam.”
Westchester County Emergency Services Commissioner Anthony Sutton, representing the four counties in the alert radius, said they hope things work out, this time. “We remain to be skeptical because we’ve lived this experience for many years now with the old siren system and with the construction and implementation of the new siren system. We’re cautiously optimistic. We’re committed to working with Entergy and the regulators to get it done because it’s really an important part of our system.”
NRC Regional Administrator Sam Collins said the really important point now is for Entergy, which earlier this year was fined $130,000 for missing the first deadline, to show significant progress.
“As a regulatory agency, we get down to the 24th and the system is operable but hasn’t completed all the internal reviews, we want to be able to say ‘that’s reasonable’, and an extension is or is not warranted going forward in that approach. Planning in the window is very important as far as working with FEMA to insure that adequate time for review, the data submitted on time is accurate, whatever support is appropriate to reasonably attempt to meet that schedule.”
The two-hour discussion involving the Entergy, the NRC and FEMA, was followed by a public comment period, but attendance was sparse. Only about 40 people, compared to about 300 who packed the same banquet hall for the relicensing kick-off meeting two weeks ago.
Festa helicopter project fuel four would-be-engineers
Festa helicopter project fuel for would-be engineers
By WILLIAM H. SPATARO
(Original publication: July 10, 2007)
I am writing regarding a July 2 Journal News article concerning the termination of the helicopter project at Felix Festa Middle School.
I was dismayed to read that this very worthwhile project had been terminated in such a cavalier fashion without the benefit of discussion of an alternative plan for its completion.
I have been associated with both the helicopter and the solar car projects from their inception after teacher Alan Horowitz asked me to support both projects in my capacity as metallurgy, welding and corrosion engineer. Mr. Horowitz, now retired, started the school's helicopter-building program. I know through my own experience the lengths that Mr. Horowitz has taken to secure funds for the projects, writing many hundreds of letters over the years. His efforts were rewarded with grants and awards from such prestigious institutions as NASA, and simultaneously by two different chapters of the aeronautics and aviation society. A little known fact is that the weight balance nosecone of the helicopter was poured with scrap lead donated by the Indian Point Energy Center.
I assisted Mr. Horowitz through the years with many questions regarding construction and, at Mr. Horowitz's invitation, made visits to the school to speak with the students about materials issues. I was impressed and gratified when some of those very students came up to me during the Engineering EXPO 2006 at Dominican College and EXPO 2007 at Westchester Community College (where I was representing Entergy) to say how much they enjoyed my talks and that they wanted more information about careers in engineering. Such enthusiasm and passion that I see in our next generation gives me hope that our efforts, especially by a teacher like Mr. Horowitz, to inspire by example have not been in vain and that a new crop of engineers will fill the space left when we fade from the scene.
I implore the school administration to revisit the case of the helicopter project and see it through to completion. I understand through speaking with Mr. Horowitz that the project needs only a month or so to complete and that some damage recently incurred on the machine can be replaced or repaired. I, for one, would be thrilled to see the students' faces as their chopper lifts off and soars through the air realizing that they made this glorious flying machine from bits and pieces that came from boxes shipped to the school just a few short years ago.
Let's think of the students; after all, that's what school is all about, isn't it!
The writer is a senior staff metallurgist at Entergy Nuclear Corp.
By WILLIAM H. SPATARO
(Original publication: July 10, 2007)
I am writing regarding a July 2 Journal News article concerning the termination of the helicopter project at Felix Festa Middle School.
I was dismayed to read that this very worthwhile project had been terminated in such a cavalier fashion without the benefit of discussion of an alternative plan for its completion.
I have been associated with both the helicopter and the solar car projects from their inception after teacher Alan Horowitz asked me to support both projects in my capacity as metallurgy, welding and corrosion engineer. Mr. Horowitz, now retired, started the school's helicopter-building program. I know through my own experience the lengths that Mr. Horowitz has taken to secure funds for the projects, writing many hundreds of letters over the years. His efforts were rewarded with grants and awards from such prestigious institutions as NASA, and simultaneously by two different chapters of the aeronautics and aviation society. A little known fact is that the weight balance nosecone of the helicopter was poured with scrap lead donated by the Indian Point Energy Center.
I assisted Mr. Horowitz through the years with many questions regarding construction and, at Mr. Horowitz's invitation, made visits to the school to speak with the students about materials issues. I was impressed and gratified when some of those very students came up to me during the Engineering EXPO 2006 at Dominican College and EXPO 2007 at Westchester Community College (where I was representing Entergy) to say how much they enjoyed my talks and that they wanted more information about careers in engineering. Such enthusiasm and passion that I see in our next generation gives me hope that our efforts, especially by a teacher like Mr. Horowitz, to inspire by example have not been in vain and that a new crop of engineers will fill the space left when we fade from the scene.
I implore the school administration to revisit the case of the helicopter project and see it through to completion. I understand through speaking with Mr. Horowitz that the project needs only a month or so to complete and that some damage recently incurred on the machine can be replaced or repaired. I, for one, would be thrilled to see the students' faces as their chopper lifts off and soars through the air realizing that they made this glorious flying machine from bits and pieces that came from boxes shipped to the school just a few short years ago.
Let's think of the students; after all, that's what school is all about, isn't it!
The writer is a senior staff metallurgist at Entergy Nuclear Corp.
Indian Point officials renew vow to have sirens working by Aug. 24
Indian Point officials renew vow to have sirens working by Aug. 24
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 10, 2007)
CORTLANDT - Indian Point officials renewed their vow last night to deliver a new emergency siren system by Aug. 24, but federal and local officials said there is still much to be done to accomplish that goal.
"Aug. 24th sounds pretty soon to me," said Rebecca Thomson, a top official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which must sign off on the new system.
FEMA's in-depth review of the new 150-siren notification system and operational training for emergency staff from Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Putnam counties are two critical elements of the project that Indian Point officials don't control.
Michael Slobedien, Indian Point's top emergency preparedness official, said he thought the system would be ready enough to train county workers by the end of this month, though Anthony Sutton, Westchester County's top emergency preparedness official, noted that schedules this time of the year can be difficult to coordinate with people taking summer vacations.
Sutton said the counties would do everything possible to provide Indian Point with what it needed.
"We want to get this system up and running," Sutton said. "It's been a long time coming."
Slobedien said the company would have to work as closely as possible to make sure FEMA had all the information it needed to complete its work.
"I think we have more discussions we need to have with FEMA," he said. "But it's our intent to have the system operational by Aug. 24th."
The company acknowledged to FEMA and officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at a sparsely attended public meeting last night that there is no single source of some of the problems technicians have found as they race to meet their third deadline after missing one in January and a second in April.
If Indian Point is successful, the new $15 million alert system would finally take over as the primary way to notify residents in an emergency at the nuclear plant.
It would replace a decades-old system that until the past six months had produced headaches with each successive failure, including once when all the sirens failed to sound.
Luckily for residents, as the new system has been under construction, periodic tests of the old system show it to be performing reliably.
Residents and public officials who stayed through the two-hour meeting raised concerns about everything from reliability and whether sirens were loud enough to be heard to whether continual testing was leading residents to too easily ignore warning sirens.
Slobedien said the company would continue to conduct a public outreach campaign to keep residents informed of testing, so they can differentiate between a test and an actual emergency.
NRC officials have said they will review the situation if another deadline is missed, but have not ruled out further financial and other sanctions.
The agency's top regional official said the NRC would continue to commit resources necessary to ensure that Indian Point's road to a completed installation wasn't impeded by the federal government, a sentiment echoed by FEMA representatives.
"We're looking forward to this coming to a successful end Aug. 24th," said Samuel Collins, the NRC's regional administrator.
Reach Greg Clary at gclary@lohud.com or 914-696-8566.
Comments
The true non-interest that the public has in this non-issue was clearly demonstrated by the non-attendance at this meeting. Or was it just that the 250 permanent agitators have all taken off for Corfu, on their summer sabbaticals, and nothing is as important as one's summer sabbatical?Posted by: pepe on Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:37 am
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 10, 2007)
CORTLANDT - Indian Point officials renewed their vow last night to deliver a new emergency siren system by Aug. 24, but federal and local officials said there is still much to be done to accomplish that goal.
"Aug. 24th sounds pretty soon to me," said Rebecca Thomson, a top official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which must sign off on the new system.
FEMA's in-depth review of the new 150-siren notification system and operational training for emergency staff from Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Putnam counties are two critical elements of the project that Indian Point officials don't control.
Michael Slobedien, Indian Point's top emergency preparedness official, said he thought the system would be ready enough to train county workers by the end of this month, though Anthony Sutton, Westchester County's top emergency preparedness official, noted that schedules this time of the year can be difficult to coordinate with people taking summer vacations.
Sutton said the counties would do everything possible to provide Indian Point with what it needed.
"We want to get this system up and running," Sutton said. "It's been a long time coming."
Slobedien said the company would have to work as closely as possible to make sure FEMA had all the information it needed to complete its work.
"I think we have more discussions we need to have with FEMA," he said. "But it's our intent to have the system operational by Aug. 24th."
The company acknowledged to FEMA and officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at a sparsely attended public meeting last night that there is no single source of some of the problems technicians have found as they race to meet their third deadline after missing one in January and a second in April.
If Indian Point is successful, the new $15 million alert system would finally take over as the primary way to notify residents in an emergency at the nuclear plant.
It would replace a decades-old system that until the past six months had produced headaches with each successive failure, including once when all the sirens failed to sound.
Luckily for residents, as the new system has been under construction, periodic tests of the old system show it to be performing reliably.
Residents and public officials who stayed through the two-hour meeting raised concerns about everything from reliability and whether sirens were loud enough to be heard to whether continual testing was leading residents to too easily ignore warning sirens.
Slobedien said the company would continue to conduct a public outreach campaign to keep residents informed of testing, so they can differentiate between a test and an actual emergency.
NRC officials have said they will review the situation if another deadline is missed, but have not ruled out further financial and other sanctions.
The agency's top regional official said the NRC would continue to commit resources necessary to ensure that Indian Point's road to a completed installation wasn't impeded by the federal government, a sentiment echoed by FEMA representatives.
"We're looking forward to this coming to a successful end Aug. 24th," said Samuel Collins, the NRC's regional administrator.
Reach Greg Clary at gclary@lohud.com or 914-696-8566.
Comments
The true non-interest that the public has in this non-issue was clearly demonstrated by the non-attendance at this meeting. Or was it just that the 250 permanent agitators have all taken off for Corfu, on their summer sabbaticals, and nothing is as important as one's summer sabbatical?Posted by: pepe on Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:37 am
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Indian Point Siren Woes Raise Alarms
Indian Point siren woes raise alarms
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 8, 2007)
The installation of new emergency sirens for Indian Point will be the topic of a public meeting tomorrow night in Cortlandt when nuclear plant officials update federal regulators on a $15 million project that has missed two deadlines this year and is losing the confidence of local emergency planners.
"They have a better chance communicating with the space shuttle than they do with their sirens," Rockland County Deputy County Fire Coordinator Dan Greeley said of Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which owns the nuclear plants. "If they don't meet this next deadline, they need to look at re-engineering the entire system. The way it's going now isn't cutting it."
Greeley and his counterparts from the other counties in the 10-mile evacuation zone around the nuclear plants say that residents have complained during a series of test soundings that they can't hear the sirens, noting that the old system would rattle the windows in some areas.
The emergency planners say the weak link is the radio-frequency trigger used in the sophisticated system, which is required by law to be effective 94 percent of the time in case a power outage brings down the Internet-based portion.
Anthony Sutton, Westchester County's top emergency planning official, said he's also concerned that the continuing tests have desensitized the public's response to the sirens.
"The longer this takes, the less confidence we have in the system," Sutton said. "My outside perception is that they're struggling to put together a string of successful tests and then they're going to raise their hands and say, 'Don't touch anything.' It's like the old days of tuning a television with rabbit-ear antennas."
Entergy spokesman Jim Steets said the company agrees with the counties and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it needs to get the system to the point that local officials are comfortable with the 150 new sirens.
He said the daily score-keeping of which sirens work and which don't may create too much of a focus on details and not on the bigger picture.
"We understand the counties' concerns," Steets said. "I think their concerns have grown from the multiplicity of tests that we've done over the past few months, but ultimately we believe those sirens will meet their requirements."
He said company officials were still confident they could get the system installed by Aug. 24, the latest deadline set by the NRC.
Entergy missed a Jan. 30 deadline that regulators and company officials had agreed was ambitious, but then missed an April 15 deadline that cost the company $130,000 in fines.
NRC officials have said they would review the situation if another deadline is missed, but have not ruled out further financial and other sanctions.
Reach Greg Clary at gclary@lohud.com or 914-696-8566.
Post a Comment
This article does not have any comments associated with it
A public meeting about the emergency sirens starts at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Colonial Terrace, 119 Oregon Road, Cortlandt. Directions are at www.colonialterracecaterers.com/directions.htm.
People planning to attend are advised that parking may be hard to find. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will staff informational tables an hour before the meeting starts.
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 8, 2007)
The installation of new emergency sirens for Indian Point will be the topic of a public meeting tomorrow night in Cortlandt when nuclear plant officials update federal regulators on a $15 million project that has missed two deadlines this year and is losing the confidence of local emergency planners.
"They have a better chance communicating with the space shuttle than they do with their sirens," Rockland County Deputy County Fire Coordinator Dan Greeley said of Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which owns the nuclear plants. "If they don't meet this next deadline, they need to look at re-engineering the entire system. The way it's going now isn't cutting it."
Greeley and his counterparts from the other counties in the 10-mile evacuation zone around the nuclear plants say that residents have complained during a series of test soundings that they can't hear the sirens, noting that the old system would rattle the windows in some areas.
The emergency planners say the weak link is the radio-frequency trigger used in the sophisticated system, which is required by law to be effective 94 percent of the time in case a power outage brings down the Internet-based portion.
Anthony Sutton, Westchester County's top emergency planning official, said he's also concerned that the continuing tests have desensitized the public's response to the sirens.
"The longer this takes, the less confidence we have in the system," Sutton said. "My outside perception is that they're struggling to put together a string of successful tests and then they're going to raise their hands and say, 'Don't touch anything.' It's like the old days of tuning a television with rabbit-ear antennas."
Entergy spokesman Jim Steets said the company agrees with the counties and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it needs to get the system to the point that local officials are comfortable with the 150 new sirens.
He said the daily score-keeping of which sirens work and which don't may create too much of a focus on details and not on the bigger picture.
"We understand the counties' concerns," Steets said. "I think their concerns have grown from the multiplicity of tests that we've done over the past few months, but ultimately we believe those sirens will meet their requirements."
He said company officials were still confident they could get the system installed by Aug. 24, the latest deadline set by the NRC.
Entergy missed a Jan. 30 deadline that regulators and company officials had agreed was ambitious, but then missed an April 15 deadline that cost the company $130,000 in fines.
NRC officials have said they would review the situation if another deadline is missed, but have not ruled out further financial and other sanctions.
Reach Greg Clary at gclary@lohud.com or 914-696-8566.
Post a Comment
This article does not have any comments associated with it
A public meeting about the emergency sirens starts at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Colonial Terrace, 119 Oregon Road, Cortlandt. Directions are at www.colonialterracecaterers.com/directions.htm.
People planning to attend are advised that parking may be hard to find. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will staff informational tables an hour before the meeting starts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)