Homeland Security

DATE=1/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NUCLEAR PLANT / SAFETY / NEW YORK (L-only)

NUMBER=2-298264

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=NEW YORK

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A new, independent report charges that emergency planning at nuclear power plants in New York is inadequate to protect people from a disaster, including a terrorist attack. Correspondent Jenny Badner has more on the findings, which call for changes to emergency response procedures at nuclear plants following the September 11th attacks.

TEXT: The report warns that in a new and changing world, safety precautions at nuclear power plants that were considered sufficient in the past, "may now be in need of revision."

The 500-page document accuses emergency planners at New York's two active nuclear power plants at Indian Point of failing to take the necessary precautions to deal with a dangerous and sudden release of radiation.

The two Indian Point reactors are located fifty kilometers north of heavily populated New York City. The report is based on six-months of research by a firm headed by James Lee Witt,former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. The report is critical of FEMA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's [N-R-C] so-called functional approach. Mr. Witt says the emergency planners focus on exercises rather than working directly with communities on safety and evacuation issues.

/ / / LEE WITT ACT / / /

We feel strongly that FEMA and the N-R-C needs to re-look at the regulations, particularly dealing with nuclear power plants around densely populated areas because things have changed since [the September 11th, 2001 attacks] and we need to re-look at them.

/ / / END ACT / / /

The report stems from a safety investigation commissioned by New York Governor George Pataki following the September 11th terrorist attacks.

In a statement, Governor Pataki urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] and the U-S Nuclear Regulatory Commission to "take a hard look at the standards used to certify emergency plans and determine if they are strong enough to meet the post-September 11th reality."

FEMA representatives did not return a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission says it will release its response after it has had a chance to thoroughly reviewed the report.

/ / / OPT REST / / /

Following an evacuation drill by Indian Point workers late last year, a spokesman for the U-S Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner told V-O-A that it is unnecessary to alter emergency plans to prepare specifically for a terrorist attacks because the effect of all disasters at nuclear power plants would be "very much the same."

Some local lawmakers and anti-nuclear activists have called for closing Indian Point. However the report does not recommend shutting down the plant. [SIGNED]

NEB/JB/BJS/PT