Statement of Senator Clinton RE: Entergy's Continued Failure to Meet Siren Deadlines

[The Straight Story]

Statement of Senator Clinton RE: Entergy's Continued Failure to Meet Siren Deadline

August 24, 2007

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Concerning Entergy's Continued Failure to Meet Siren Deadlines

Senator to call on FEMA Inspector General to conduct an investigation into what went wrong

Washington, DC - “More than two years after we passed a law requiring a new siren system to be put in place, and more than six months after the original deadline, Entergy has announced that the new system is ready. Unfortunately, because the full set of test data was not submitted until yesterday, there was no way that the August 24 deadline could be met. That is unacceptable, and I will be asking the DHS inspector general to evaluate what went wrong. In addition, I urge FEMA to conduct a thorough review of the test data to ensure that the system meets applicable standards, as public safety is paramount. Should the NRC find fault with Entergy's actions, I would urge FEMA to use any enforcement flexibility available to them to redirect fines to local governments for emergency preparedness. I also remain convinced of the need to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment at Indian Point as I believe that the best way for Entergy to demonstrate its confidence in Indian Point is to invite independent inspectors inside to examine the plant alongside the NRC.”

Since September 11th Senator Clinton has worked to push both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Entergy to improve safety, security and emergency preparedness at the plant, including the siren system. Senator Clinton added a provision to the energy bill in 2005 to require Entergy to install a new siren system with battery backup in response to repeated failures of the Indian Point siren system due to a lack of backup power. That provision was signed into law in August of 2005, and the NRC set a January 2007 deadline for having the system operational. Entergy applied for and received an extension of the deadline to April 15th, and subsequently missed the deadline. NRC fined Entergy $130,000 and Senator Clinton announced that she would sponsor Senate companion legislation to a bill to be sponsored in the U.S. House by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) and Congressman John Hall (D-Hudson Valley), that would steer fines levied by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for safety violations to counties surrounding nuclear facilities in order to assist them with emergency planning.

Senator Clinton has also continued to call for the NRC to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) at Indian Point and has introduced legislation to require an ISA at the plant.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=281271&&