ML071830160
| ML071830160 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 05/09/2007 |
| From: | Kremer A New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (NYAREA) |
| To: | Collins S Region 1 Administrator |
| Shared Package | |
| ML071620366 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML071830160 (7) | |
Text
May 9,2007 Mr. Samuel J. Collins Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region I 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406-1415
Subject:
Request for Meeting on Indian Point
Dear Mr. Collins:
d The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA), a 501 (c)(6mn-profit organization, is a diverse group of more than 100 business and labor organizations, community leaders, and independent energy experts, predominantly from the lower Hudson Valley and New York City, dedicated to fostering solutions for New Yorks energy future that will expand and improve our electric power supply and distribution for our growing economy.
New York AREA acts on a broad energy mission to ensure that the power-starved downstate region is able to maintain and expand efficient sources of power, and counter the local impact delivered by Not In My Back Yard activists who tend to oppose all reasonable energy policies and projects. We are also committed to the reauthorization of New Yorks power plant siting statute (Article X) which expired over four years ago and is central to supporting continued growth for our economy. As one of the original authors of Article X in the Legislature, I know this is particularly important because our electricity future in New York is tenuous at best.
As part of our policy agenda, New York AREA firmly supports the ongoing operations of the Indian Point Energy Center and the application by Entergy for license renewal. For the record, Entergy is a member of New York AREA, as are major business organizations like the Partnership for NYC and the New York Building Congress; labor organizations like the Teamsters and the Boilermakers Union; power generators and distributors like KeySpan and Con-Edison; and which includes affiliated public utilities and agencies like the New York Power Authority and NYC Small Business Services office. I have enclosed a current membership overview for your reference.
I am writing to express our concern that a vocal minority of very well connected, well funded activists and environmental organizations are pushing their anti-nuclear agenda through your agency while masquerading as representatives of general public sentiment. It seems that every operational issue at Indian Point, whether significant or not, is blown into a full alert scenario unlike anything I have seen in my 30 year career in the public and private sectors, including the scare tactics and demagoguery that led to the disastrous and costly closing of the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant on Long Island.
Our membership wishes to ensure that while the NRC makes every effort to accommodate anti-nuclear organizations whose objective is to shut down Indian Point, supporters and business organizations who favor the continued operations of the facility do not continue to be overlooked regarding information and access from the NRC.
Fifth A v e n u e, S u i t e 5 0 8 New York, N Y 1 0 0 1 6 2 1 2. 6 8 3. 1 2 0 3 F a x : 2 1 2 - 6 8 3 - 8 4 8 1 i n f o e a r e a - a i I i e n c e. o r g w w w. a r e a - a l I i a n c e. o r g
It was unfortunate, for instance, that at the exhibit hall in Cortlandt Manor at the end of cycle meeting regarding Indian Point safety on April 26, that so may anti-nuclear organizations were allowed exhibit space to promote their anti-nuclear agenda while the business community was not properly represented.
Anti-nuclear messages in the space clearly drowned out the NRCs own messages about its role in establishing a safe environment at 103 nuclear plants in the US.
Please note that our Executive Director Laurent Lawrence did address the issue of the exlubit space for future meetings with your staff member, State Liaison Officer Marjorie McLaughlin.
Let me also state that New York AREA recognizes that the NRC has an important and difficult job to do, and we fully support rigorous and routine inspections by on-site NRC safety experts to protect the public.
However, you should note that we believe that calls for an independent safety assessment are a pretext to further enhancing a climate of confusion and anxiety to help achieve the political aim of closing Indian Point by anti-nuclear activists.
In order to ensure a fair and balanced consideration in the public hearing process for business and labor stakeholders who have a great interest in the outcome of the license renewal of Indian Point, New York AREA fully expects to be included in all future outreach by the NRC regarding Indian Point and other nuclear powered generating stations in the state, including.
0 0
0 Participation in stakeholder meetings and conference calls, such as the one that was conducted after the recent Indian Point Unusual Event on April 6,2007.
US. Mail notices on New York plant events, news, and public information.
Electronic mail distributions such as newsletters, updates, and public announcements.
Exhibit space where anti-nuclear groups are also allowed to set up displays.
Finally, I want to request a meeting for a small delegation of our members and leaders in your regional office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, to address your approach to the upcoming license renewal process, sometime in May or June before the initial Public Information Hearing.
Thank you for your attention to the aforementioned matters. I look forward to your prompt and immediate response to these requests.
Sincerely,
/7 w
Chairman enclosures cc:
Chairman Dale Klein State Liaison Officer Marjorie McLaughlin New York AREA Page 2 Wednesday, May 09,2007
OUR MISSION The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance was formed in the wake of the 2003 blackout with the mission of promoting issues and policies that will provide New York with an ample supply and efficient distribution of affordable reliable electricity so it can remain the worlds best place to live and work.
We serve as a communications platform for the finest business, labor, academic, environmental, and community organizations and professionals in New York whose mutual concern is our economic and environmental sustainability in the long-term.
Recognizing that affordable and reliable electricity is so critical to our future, we achieve our mission by developing and promoting policy solutions and forging consensus on key electricity issues. Our key concepts and priority issues are showcased through our outreach campaigns that engage the press and policymakers. Our mission is best achieved through our educational programs and political action that builds support for energy initiatives that will sustain and enhance New Yorks economy.
New York AREAS broad and varied agenda includes:
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e e
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e Advocating policies that will aid in the development of new and innovative energy sources to meet the growing demand for power in New York, including renewable energy projects.
Promoting energy efficiency programs for business, industry, and consumers so that growing demand can be curtailed among all electric consumers.
Working towards the immediate reauthorization of the Article X power plant siting law that attracts infrastructure investments by guiding investors through a more streamlined regulatory process and allows for ample community input. Article X expired on December 3 1,2002.
Promoting better air quality by supporting New York States six nuclear power plants that deliver clean, base load power - eliminating the release of millions of tons of C02 and other harmful emissions into our atmosphere.
In particular, supporting the continued, safe operations of Indian Point Energy Center, which on a typical day provides 20 to 30 percent of the electricity consumed in New York City and the downstate region, as well as by the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Supporting other in-state, base-load power facilities that are crucial to maintaining the current supply of electricity.
Advocating for a sensible, balanced portfolio of fuel sources that deliver our electric power supply statewide.
Supporting new and upgraded distribution systems and transmission networks that will deliver our electricity reliably.
Encouraging the expansion of jobs in the energy sector as a result of continued investment in our energy infrastructure for the long-term.
Conducting educational campaigns, energy forums, policy maker outreach, and media communications campaigns to deliver our messages about the critical need for more electric power generation in New York.
3 4 7 F i f t h A v e n u e, S u i t e 5 0 8 N e w York, N Y 1 0 0 1 6 2 1 2. 6 8 3. 1 2 0 3 F a x : 2 1 2 - 6 8 3 - 8 4 8 1 i n f o BD a r e a - a I I i a n c e. o r g w w w.a r e a - a I I i a n c e. o r g
New York AREA is comprised of experts on New Yorks energy issues because our members are the builders, operators, and major consumers of New Yorks electricity.
By developing concepts and initiatives so New York has the energy to grow and prosper, New York AREA is dedicated to making sure that New York remains the greatest place in the world to live and to do business.
NEW YORK AREA FACTS New York AREA was formed in 2003 as a result of the blackout that took place that summer and which cost New York City alone more than $1 billion in lost economic activity, through food spoilage and other disruptions. Due to the pressing need for an advocacy organization of its type, 17 business and labor groups united with the commitment of making sure that New York has a growing supply of electricity to meet the surging demand for power in a thriving economic region.
New York AREAS more than 100 members include:
business organizations; labor unions; energy producers and suppliers; energy experts; concerned citizens; and elected officials and community leaders; electric consumers, large and small.
New York AREA conducts regular energy forums to promote our policy solutions and educate opinion leaders and policy makers on key energy issues. Forums have been held in Queens, Manhattan, and the Lower Hudson Valley (Tarrytown), each focused on issues close to the host community, while also addressing our broader energy challenges. Forums have been an exceptional resource for educational purposes and have featured local and national business and industry leaders.
New York AREA periodically prepares studies, or issue briefs, on a variety of energy topics that are relevant to New Yorkers statewide and especially in the downstate region. These primers are a resource for the news media, policy makers, opinion leaders, and consumers, and provide expert advice on relevant topics.
New York AREA produces a quarterly eight-page newsletter Reliable News which discusses electricity issues that are relevant to our members throughout every sector of our economy.
Other one-page electronic newsletter updates are produced as well to focus on local communities and key developments related to affordable and reliable electricity.
New York AREA Fact Sheet
NEW YORK CITY AND THE DOWNSTATE REGION New York AREA supports the continued safe operations of Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York in the mid-Hudson Valley, whose two nuclear plants provide 20 to 30 percent of the electricity used in New York City and the surrounding region on a typical day. As the opposition to Indian Point by anti-nuclear activists intensifies throughout the license renewal process in 2007 and 2008, New York AREA and its members will support this critical component of our downstate energy infrastructure.
At the groups inaugural meeting, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani provided our founding members with a briefing on the security at the Indian Point plants and the rigorous safety procedures in place to ensure that safe operations come first at this much-needed facility.
New York AREA also supports an extension of the Article X power plant sitting law, which is necessary to facilitate new power plant construction in the state. Considering that it takes on average five years for the completion of the design, approval, and construction of the typical power plant project, the expiration of this critical statute will stifle investment in our energy infrastructure without its immediate reauthorization.
Electric supply and distribution will be enhanced through the expansion of renewable energy projects and the upgrade and expansion of our transmission networks throughout the region. We support efficiency, improvements in the transmission network, such as those being developed by Con Edison, as well as fuel diversity throughout the region.
New York AREA supports these aspects of our energy supply and delivery system in the downstate region, and will work to counter the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) opposition that is typically encountered for most sensible solutions to our energy needs.
We also encourage the consideration of new power generation concepts and technologies, acknowledging that the state must look within and outside of its borders for additional solutions that must be safe, reliable, affordable, and clean.
It is the belief of our membership that without these essential actions, New Yorks downstate region will face higher energy prices, less supply, business uncertainty, economic loss due to the relocation of some companies who will go elsewhere for lower operating costs, blackouts such as the one we experienced in 2003, and transmission problems similar to those which caused massive power outages in Queens and Staten Island in the summer of 2006. We believe that if serious action is not taken to assure the continued operation of current generating facilities and add to them quickly, New York will face these issues in the next few years as the demand for electricity will exceed the supply.
New York AREA 3 O f 5 Fact Sheet
NEW YORK AREA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP The African American Chamber of Commerce African Environmentalist Association Aquarius Services Corporation Associated Builders & Owners of Greater New York Automatic Meter Reading Corporation Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 5 Braemar Energy Ventures Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties The Business Council of New York State The Business Council of Westchester Butler Associates LLC Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc.
E-J Electric Installation Co.
Energy Association of New York State Entergy Nuclear Northeast Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association Forest Electric General Contractors Association of New York Greater New York Chamber of Commerce Harbor Group Communication Independent Power Producers of New York International Association of Heat Insulators (Local 12)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 138 1 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2230 International Union of Operating Engineers Local 138, 138A, and 138B J. A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant KeySpan Energy Long Island City Business Development Corporation Michael F. Adanuncio Electric. Inc.
New York AREA 4of5 Fact Sheet
. I NEW YORK AREA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP (continued)
Millwrights and Machinery Erectors (Local 740)
National Taxpayers Union & National Taxpayers Union Foundation New York Building Congress New York City Central Labor Council New York City District Council of Carpenters New York Regional Interconnection New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association New York State Hispanic Chambers of Commerce New York State Restaurant Association Partnership for New York City Queens Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Board of New York Rent Stabilization Association of New York City Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.
The Seniors Coalition Small Business Survival Committee South Bronx Board of Trade The Westchester County Association TransCanada United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 United Seniors Association Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 For additional information on New York AREA please visit wwwxea-dliance.org. Please feel free to utilize our website as a resource or contact us at 212.683.1203 if you would like to join our efforts in assuring that New York remains a great place to live and work.
New York AREA 5 of5 Fact Sheet