Indian Point to add back-up siren power system
Mid Hudson News
July 29, 2005

Following two separate power outages within the past two weeks, Entergy Nuclear Northeast -- owner and operator of the Indian Point nuclear power plants -- today announced it would install a back-up power system for all 156 sirens within the site's 10-mile emergency planning zone.

The latest power outage came last night as heavy thunderstorms rolled through the Mid-Hudson region, knocking out 20 sirens for several hours. Eleven of them were in Westchester, eight were in Rockland and one was in Orange County. All were back on line as of 9 a.m. today.

Entergy spokesman Larry Gottlieb told MidHudsonNews.com today the company has tasked its security consultants, Giuliani Partners, to come up with a plan to provide back-up power for the sirens. He said it was "inexcusable" to have lost power to the sirens twice in two weeks.

"Local residents deserve the guarantee of backup power for all sirens and I truly hope Entergy expedites the process of installing this backup system," said Congresswoman Sue Kelly, who has been pressing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the issue.

"I welcome Entergy's commitment today to make this important change," said Senator Hillary Clinton. "It's the right thing to do for the safety and security of the people who live around the plant."

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