Establishes the nuclear power plant preparedness plans study

Title of bill

An act establishing the nuclear power plant preparedness plans study

Purpose or general idea of the bill

Requires the commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services to study and review disaster preparedness plans as they relate to nuclear power plants for effectiveness.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: The commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services in consultation with the disaster preparedness commission and any other entity the commissioner deems 99, shall study and review disaster preparedness plan as they relate to all nuclear power plants located in New York State for effectiveness for communities within a 50 mile radius. The study is due to the governor and legislative leaders by December 31, 2017.

Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

As scrutiny of nuclear energy facilities across the nation grows and with new revelations that the Indian Point nuclear power plant is located over a fault line that makes it vulnerable to a strong earthquake, there is a need for quick and common-sense actions that could save the lives of millions of New Yorkers, especially those down-wind of the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

It took the radiation released from damaged nuclear reactors in Fukushirna, Japan less than five days to travel over 160 miles south over Tokyo. The radiation in the atmosphere was considered to be so dangerous that the United States Navy moved out ships stationed near Tokyo and issuing Potassium Iodide pills to military personnel and their families.

So what does this have to do with New York State?

New York State has 6 nuclear reactors located near its largest cities: Rochester, Syracuse and New York City.

Indian Point nuclear power plant is located within 35 miles of 52% of New York's population, and only 24 miles from New York City. This legislation requires an in depth study on a long list of variables that will impact disaster preparedness and emergency evacuation plans for all nuclear power plants located in New York State.

We cannot wait until a potentially deadly catastrophe involving the accidental release of radiation by the Indian Point nuclear power plant before we realize that New York State does not have available the first line-of-defense resources that can save the lives of millions of our fellow residents, including millions of children. For a long-time we have been hearing about the dangers created by the Indian Point nuclear power plant based on its extremely close proximity to heavily populated areas. Well New York City and its nine million residents are just 24 miles away and Westchester County and surrounding upstate counties are the home of almost two million more New Yorkers.

Rochester and Syracuse are short distances from four other nuclear power plants (4 reactors).

Any radiation discharged from those nuclear plants would quickly travel across the state, threatening the lives of most New Yorkers.

There is no logical reason for New York State and local governments to not have a proper emergency and evacuation process in place. The study requires that all of the 6 nuclear reactor sites located in New York State be reviewed for emergency preparedness.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications for state and local government

None. New York State already has disaster relief and planning bureaucracy in the division of homeland security and emergency services and the disaster preparedness commission. These well staffed state offices have the capacity to carry out the directive of this legislation.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.