Contact: Peter Alexander (802) 380-3080

For Immediate Release

 
Nuclear Watchdog Alleges More Violations at Indian Point

Public Trust in government institutions is the fundamental currency of our American democracy, our economy, and our way of life, and nowhere is that trust more important than in the regulation of our nation's most dangerous and complex industry: commercial nuclear power.  Ongoing investigative research by FUSE (Friends United for Sustainable Energy), a not-for-profit nuclear watchdog organization overseeing the Indian Point nuclear complex, indicates that Entergy's Indian Point reactors are in serious violation of safety regulations and present a clear and present danger to human health and the environment.  

On Friday, September 21, FUSE filed twenty-six formal allegations with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  One of the most serious allegations indicates that in its application for a 20 year license extension Entergy misquoted and misrepresented the historical record in the Federal Register, falsely claiming that the reactor was in compliance with federal regulations, when it has been out of compliance for forty years.

“For forty years the owners of Indian Point have routinely avoided complying with the most important federal regulations designed to protect the health of children and families from the terrible risks of a nuclear accident or terrorist attack,” said Peter Alexander, a spokesperson for FUSE.  “The errors are so serious that FUSE has filed allegations with the NRC, and will be asking the New York Attorney General's office and Congressman John Hall to investigate.   Most importantly, the 30 million people who live in the shadow of the Indian Point nuclear reactors have unwittingly been subjected to risks much greater than they were ever aware.”

Worse, according to FUSE, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the agency entrusted with ensuring nuclear safety, has either been party to deceiving the public, or has utterly failed in its job to protect public health.

The problems uncovered by FUSE fall into numerous safety and aging management areas crucial to the License Renewal Application review process.  These include a General Design Basis that falls short of the design specifications in its operating license, serious component fatigue, leak and corrosion issues, and a host of problems that affect public health and safety.

Before a nuclear facility can be relicensed for another 20 years of operation, it must have adequate plans in place to maintain, repair, or replace aging components.  It also must be capable of preventing off site radiological incidents that could affect public health and the environment.  The cornerstone of meeting these critical obligations to public health and safety is a truthful and accurate General Design Criteria.

“It appears that Indian Point has never been in compliance with regulations,” said Alexander, “and that regulators have not been doing their job.”

###