Relates to notice of radioactive emissions at Indian Point Energy Centers

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• Liz Krueger

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to notice of radioactive emissions at Indian Point Energy Center

Purpose

To create standards of public notification regarding the emissions, both routine and non-routine, from the Indian Point Energy Center.

Summary of provisions

To amend the Executive Law by adding a new section 29-f to provide for the public notification of emissions from the Indian Point Energy Center. Section I outlines the legislative intent, defines "operator" as the entity that owns or manages the Indian Point Energy Center, details the requirements for giving the public notice about radioactive emissions, and describes the penalties for violations. Some of the requirements for public notice include the following:

* Notice of emissions would be made available to the public via a toll-free telephone number; to the commissioner of health; to the chief executive officer of the county in which the plant is located; and to the chief executive officer of the city, town or village where Indian Point is located. * Public notice would be required at least 24 hours before scheduled releases, and as soon as possible, but not more than 24 hours, after unscheduled releases, breakdowns or malfunctions. * Public notices would contain the total amount of radioactivity released; the estimated individual dose that may occur due to the release; weather conditions at the time of the release; the area affected; the equipment that malfunctioned, if any; and the corrective actions taken. * The operator of Indian Point shall submit an annual report to the public utilities commission and the New York State Library including the following information; * Any safety-related incidents reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during the previous year, including a statement of the cause of the incident, its effects on human health and the environment, corrective measures taken and cost. * Unresolved safety issues as defined by the NRC, and the status of resolution.

Justification

The Indian Point Energy Center is located in Westchester County on the east bank of the Hudson River, 24 miles north of New York City. Twenty million people live within a 50 mile radius of Indian Point so that the safety and security of the Plant is of paramount interest. Elected officials including those in New York City, and nearby cities, towns, and villages, have expressed concern regarding Indian Point's operation through voluminous correspondence, resolutions, press conferences, and meetings. Many good government, environmental, and watchdog organizations monitor the Plant's operation. Citizen awareness and involvement levels are high as evidenced by remarkable levels of attendance at public hearings. This bill would improve the public's access to full information about the operation of the Indian Point Energy Center and thereby help to ensure operator accountability and allay public concerns for safety. The state of Maine currently maintains a toll-free telephone number that provides 24-hour updates on their nuclear power plant.

Legislative history

2008 S.7308 Reported and Committed to Rules

Fiscal implications

To be determined. EFFECTIVE DATE : The first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.