News Archive 2006

Rep. John Hall continues push for ISA of Indian Point

U.S. Congressman John Hall (D-NY) today announced his intention to introduce legislation to Congress mandating an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the Indian Point plants coupled with, and as a prerequisite for, re-licensing. Stating that his opposition to Indian Point was one of the reasons he ran for Congress, Rep. Hall astonishingly claimed that, in addition to the safety concerns expressed by others, he and others know Indian Point is responsible for many cancers in the area around the plants — though it should be noted that federal and local health agency studies have never linked cancer to a nuclear power plant. Hall said he would like to see Indian Point replaced with alternative energy.

Entergy replied that it has demonstrated through many post-9/11 safety and security assessments over the past five years that the plants are safe and secure, and is confident that another review—even an ISA if one came to pass—would yield the same results. Entergy added that, regardless of an ISA, it soon will be undergoing an intensive two-year long review process as part of the license renewal process.

The call for an ISA, Entergy believes, is politically driven by the oppositions' long-stated goal to shut down Indian Point. Opponents have been advocating anti-Indian Point resolutions for more than five years, and are no closer now to replacing Indian Point than they were then. In the meantime, repeated assessments by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Academy of Sciences, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies have concluded that Indian Point is safe, secure, and vital.

U.S. Representatives Nita Lowey and Elliot Engel, Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, and an assortment of anti-nuclear protesters also attended the press conference. Riverkeeper's Alex Matthiessen also attended.

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