FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2008
CONTACT: Renee Cho, Riverkeeper 914-478-4501 x. 239

“INDEPENDENT” DOES NOT EQUAL COMPANY-PAID REVIEW
RIVERKEEPER CHALLENGES ENTERGY’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT FOR INDIAN POINT

(Tarrytown, NY) Entergy today announced its plans to conduct an independent safety assessment of the Indian Point nuclear power plant and emergency planning. The following is a response by Riverkeeper’s Policy Director Lisa Rainwater:
“An independent safety assessment is not an assessment contracted and paid for by the company needing an assessment. There are times when the federal government needs to step in and put taxpayers’ dollars to work for the sake of public health and safety. This is one of those times. A true Independent Safety Assessment should be overseen by federal and state regulators and include a citizen advisory panel. If Entergy were truly concerned about taxpayer dollars, it would cover the full costs of emergency planning and leave regulating and nuclear oversight to government agencies charged with protecting public health and safety.”

About Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper is a member-supported, nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to safeguarding the Hudson River and the watershed areas that provide drinking water to New York City. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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