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Riverkeeper Calls for Independent Investigation in Response to Lawsuit Against Indian Point

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tina Posterli, 914-478-4501 x 239, [email protected]

Security Officer Alleges Major Security Lapses and Retaliation by Entergy

Ossining, NY – September 13, 2012 – Today a security lieutenant employed by Entergy Corporation at the Indian Point nuclear power plant announced that he is suing Entergy in state Supreme court, alleging numerous lapses in security training and computerized security systems that raise serious, imminent concerns about the adequacy of security for the two nuclear reactors and the 1500 tons of toxic nuclear waste stored onsite. The security officer also alleges that he was retaliated against by Entergy when he raised these concerns with the company and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the federal agency responsible for ensuring security at nuclear power plants. Among a veritable laundry list of lapses and violations of security protocols, he alleges that the facility’s automated security system crashes regularly, the security force was not properly trained to use the system, and that the security team has repeatedly failed “force on force exercises” that simulate a terrorist attack on the plant.

Phillip Musegaas, Riverkeeper’s Hudson River Program Director, stated: “These are extremely serious allegations about plant security and the adequacy of the NRC’s response, which to date has apparently not resolved many of the alleged failures by Entergy to ensure that the security staff is properly trained and equipped to protect Indian Point. Riverkeeper is calling for an independent Congressional investigation to determine whether Entergy and the NRC are doing what’s required to protect the 20 million people living and working within 50 miles of Indian Point.”

The lawsuit comes at a critical time in the history of this problem-ridden nuclear facility, just before the NRC is set to begin crucial legal hearings in October to determine whether Entergy will be allowed to operate Indian Point for another twenty years, until 2035.

Security is one of several critical issues that the public is not allowed to raise in the relicensing proceeding for Indian Point, along with evacuation planning and earthquake hazards. The public is also not being given time at the upcoming hearings to make public statements about whether Indian Point should continue operating. It is imperative that they make their voices heard by submitting a statement by September 15 for the NRC to consider. The NRC is providing scant opportunities for the public to comment meaningfully on this critically important decision. Riverkeeper urges people to make their voices heard and tell the NRC to end the risk and close this ecological disaster and looming risk to the millions living in its shadow.

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