REASONS WHY I THINK THAT INDIAN POINT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

SOME REASONS WHY INDIAN POINT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

Many of my constituents are concerned about Indian Point. The recent Japan earthquake and nuclear power plant radiation leaks (meltdowns) have caused many people to question what would happen if our area experiences an earthquake. Indian Point, like the nuclear power plants in Japan, are located on earthquake faults. Although it is unlikely that we will experience as strong an earthquake as the earthquake in Japan – Indian Point is located very close to NYC. I do not believe that nuclear power plants should be located near heavily populated areas.

I believe that the NRC and other government agencies should carefully review whether we’re prepared. The authorities in Japan reassured residents of Japan that they would be safe if there was an earthquake. They were wrong. Entergy may also be wrong. We want them to be right. Hoping that we are safe and watching their TV commercials and reading newspaper ads doesn’t make us safe. Since 911 Entergy has donated substantial dollars to many non profit organizations in Westchester. They should be applauded for helping worthy causes. However--giving to Westchester causes does not mean that we are safe and secure.


An earthquake is only one risk. The other: a terrorist attack. Indian Point is a possible terrorist target.

Are we at greater risk because Indian Point is so old (built almost 40 years ago)? Has age caused corrosion and rusting? We all know of the pipe leaks. Is there corrosion or cracking on the inside of these pipes?

A report from Lamont Doherty (Columbia University's earth observatory) indicates that our region is due for a big earthquake—a 6 or 7 magnitude. Are we prepared?

If an evacuation would be required most of my constituents (myself included) are not prepared. There have been no evacuation exercises involving the general public. Elected officials in Greenburgh and in a good portion of Westchester have not been briefed as to what we should do. Our roads can’t handle an evacuation and traffic will not keep moving. There are inadequate shelters.

Unlike Japan, we have not planned to provide our residents with KI pills and protection. Radiation suits are not available. And, our cell phone system in Westchester is not very reliable –there are many sections that have no cell service, making it difficult to communicate.

Do we have a contingency plan for food and water contamination? If winds carry fallout toward the New Croton, Kensico and Hillview reservoirs contingency plans for food and water supply are necessary.

Enclosed, please find a copy of an article about Lamont Doherty. I am very concerned. I believe that we’re ignoring warning signs. I look forward to your response.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

914 993 1545 or 914 438 1343

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From: IPSEC1@yahoogroups.com [mailto:IPSEC1@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Allegra Dengler
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:51 AM
To: ipsec1@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [IPSEC1] Lamont-Doherty scientist says the region is overdue for a big quake



http://www.lefthudson.com/2011/02/lamont-doherty-scientist-says-region-is.html
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Lamont-Doherty scientist says the region is overdue for a big quake

A scientist who runs the region's seismographic network for Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory says the New York City area is past due for a significant earthquake. And some researchers are jittery about the proximity of one fault line to the area's only nuclear reactors.


Won-Young Kim, a Rockland County-based scientist, told Metro New York that “it can happen anytime soon,” and that “we can expect it any minute, we just don’t know when and where.”

The New York City area sits on top of the Ramapo Fault Zone, which spans more than 185 miles in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. There is significant public knowledge about the fault in the region, with some of the public specifically worried about its proximity to the Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County. Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which runs the power plant, has frequently assured the public that the reactors can withstand a significant earthquake.

Despite the rarity of strong East Coast earthquakes, there are some that do occur. Furthermore, when these events do occur, the areas affected by them are on average ten times as large as western ones for events of the same magnitude. Thus, the potential for earthquake damage from them are moderate.

A 2008 study by Lamont-Doherty researchers argued that a magnitude 6 or 7 earthquake was destined to originate from the Ramapo Fault Zone, which would cause hundreds or even thousands of fatalities and billions of dollars in damage. Studying around 400 earthquakes over the past 300 years, the study also argued that there was an additional fault zone extending from the Ramapo Fault Zone into Southwestern Connecticut and running just one mile from the Indian Point plant.

The study was used by then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who argued unsuccessfully that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission should consider the Lamont-Doherty's data as part of its decision on whether to extend the licenses to Entergy.




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