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News Release
January 11, 2007
INDIAN POINT EMAIL UPDATE: Siren Installation Update
Increased Work Scope Adding Communications Equipment to Enhance
Effectiveness and Reliability of New Indian Point Siren System
and Local Permitting Challenges Delay Project Completion Time
Buchanan, N.Y.-Entergy has nearly completed construction of a new Indian Point emergency notification system that incorporates several new control and communications capabilities, and includes new siren locations to ensure broader and more reliable audio coverage throughout the 10-mile emergency planning area around the plants. Each siren also will have a set of back-up batteries to ensure operation--even during a local power outage--as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The increased scope of work associated with those enhancements, particularly in connection with local permitting requirements and engineering needed for an existing 470-foot-tall radio transmission tower located on the Grasslands property in Westchester County, however, will take another four to six weeks to complete. The work includes a comprehensive engineering analysis before equipment can be attached to the structure.
Said Mike Slobodien, Entergy director of emergency planning, "This has been a very ambitious and challenging schedule, and while I'm disappointed that we could not bring the system on-line this month, I am very appreciative of the efforts of our project managers and the support we have received from the counties."
Entergy has formally written to the NRC to ask for additional time.
The need to obtain additional local permits for the new-siren locations also contributed to the delay, though there remains just one outstanding permit to secure. All the siren poles and equipment attached to the poles, including the sirens, back-up batteries, and communications equipment are expected to be installed by the end of January.
Entergy said in the letter to the NRC that it expects the system to be fully operational by April 15, including completing the training of more than 60 emergency planning staff members and thorough testing of the various components and of the system as a whole.
The current siren system that was tested successfully last November remains operational.
Contact:
Jim Steets
(914) 272-3545 - office
(914) 671-0457 - cell
jsteets@entergy.com
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