Clinton asks Indian Point officials to back independent safety review

Clinton asks Indian Point officials to back independent safety review
By GREG CLARYTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 20, 2007)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton asked top Entergy officials yesterday to support a call for federal regulators to conduct an independent safety assessment of Indian Point and to deliver the nuclear plants' new siren system on time.
In a private meeting in her Washington offices, Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke to Entergy Chief Executive Officer J. Wayne Leonard and Michael Kansler, the company's executive in charge of the Northeast region, asking for support in getting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct the review, even as she pushes legislation that would require the same action.
"The litany of recent problems at Indian Point has eroded public confidence in the plant at a time when Entergy is beginning its relicensing process," Clinton said in a statement released after the meeting. "I urged Entergy to commit to an independent safety assessment at the plant so that concerns about safety and emergency preparedness can be addressed to the satisfaction of the community."
Company officials were polite but noncommittal after the meeting.
"We had a positive conversation with Sen. Clinton about Indian Point, which produces the electricity that is the lifeblood of the New York economy," Leonard said in his statement. "We understand the senator's issues and appreciate her thoughts and ideas. We look forward to continuing a productive dialogue in the future and are committed to addressing the senator's concerns."
Entergy officials in the past have said that they will do what the NRC requires, but added that the independent evaluation Clinton and other elected officials are seeking has since been incorporated in the NRC reactor oversight process and would be redundant.
The NRC has said basically the same thing.
Clinton also raised a concern about the lack of new sirens for the plant. The company has missed two previous deadlines for installing the siren system.
" It is critical that Entergy meet (the new Aug. 24) deadline" for installing the system, Clinton said in a letter that she handed to Leonard and later released to the media.
Company officials have said they expect to have the new siren system operational by the deadline.
Reach Greg Clary at 914-696-8566 or gclary@lohud.com.

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What any politician is unaware of, is the true thoughts and wishes of those who are not particularly her supporters. Ms. Clinton has a staff, and an open mailbox, no doubt well connected with those who hope to influence her, and she can only derive her "knowledge" such as it is, from those sources. Most people in the area don't think an ISA is the panacea Ms. Clinton thinks it will be. 67% of the local populace is not concerned about Indian Point. I took the time to read her bill on the congressional website, and amazingly, I found the bill as written demanding inspections of a few systems that Indian Point does not actually possess. Apparently her staffers took a generic nuclear plant writeup, and submitted it , sans any research. This is the same staff she relies upon to craft her entire position vis-a-vis Indian Point. So the great lady is a bit out of touch. Big deal. Right? Well, maybe we can blunder our way into a successful energy plan for the region, using bogus information, and maybe she is just pumping hot air, to look good, and actually casting all our fates to the wind. We shall see, in about 2016. (our nominal first year free of the "danger" of Indian Point). Are you ready, Mr. Clary?
Posted by: pepe on Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:17 am

What we really need is an independent safety review of Hillary!
Posted by: lawabiding on Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:23 am

What happened to Zoom Zoom Zoom..........Rockland County is about to get Zooomed about every three minutes and Ms Clinton (Senator Clintion) remains mute on the issue. In about three weeks the noise starts.......Zoom Zoom Zoom
Posted by: The Haverstraw Man on Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:28 am