Manna Jo Comes Out Slugging!

Don Quixote and the Nuclear Power Plant ~ WAYNE WILDCAT

MEDIA ALERT
for
Friday March 2, 2007

Contact:

Stephen Kent:
845-758-0097 cell 914-589-5988
skent@kentcom.com

Steve Densmore:
845-234-8713
stevied423@hotmail.com

Scott Cullen:
631-428-0034
scullen@gracelinks.org

Manna Jo Greene:
845-454-7673 x 113 cell 845-807-1270
mannajo@clearwater.org

Technical Briefing & Roundtable for Members of Congress and the Public on Radioactive Leaks from the Indian Point Nuclear Plant.

WHAT?

A free, public, technical briefing and town meeting with nationally known experts in relevant fields including hydrology, geology, public health, ecological impacts, and regulatory issues, sponsored by Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., Pace Academy for the Environment and the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC).

Presentations and roundtable discussions will elucidate the best currently available information on strontium 90 and other radioactive isotopes from the Indian Point nuclear plant in Buchanan, New York leaking into groundwater and the Hudson River. The extent of the leaks, first identified in Sept. 2005 as "small amount of slightly radioactive water" of "less than a pint a day", has been closely monitored. More than a year later this estimate was revised to a more substantial "Central Park Reservoir"-size leak, which exceeds drinking water standards for strontium-90. Strontium-90 has also recently been found in Hudson River fish.

Members of New York's Congressional delegation are invited and scheduled to attend, along with their staffs, representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, elected officials from eleven surrounding counties, relevant New York state agencies, and concerned citizens. This month members of New York's congressional delegation reintroduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) at the Indian Point nuclear power plant, including in-depth review of Indian Point's safety and mechanical systems, spent fuel pools, and radiological emergency evacuation plans.

WHO?

Presenters at the briefing will include:

* On the current status of the leaks -- Dr. Greg Jaczko, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Commissioner (invited) and Paul Gunter, Nuclear Information and Resource Service
* On hydrogeology of leaks -- Lynn Sykes, Lamont-Doherty seismologist (invited); Sergio Smiriglio, hydrologist (invited)
* On public health concerns -- Dr. Adela Salame-Alfie, NYS Department of Health; Arjun Makihijani, PhD, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
* On ecological impacts - Dr. Barbara Youngberg, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Jesse Schwartz, Oregon State University fisheries biologist
* On jurisdictional issues/federal oversight -- David Lochbaum, Union of Concerned Scientists; Phillip Musegaas, Riverkeeper

Additional roundtable panelists will include:

US Congresswoman Nita Lowey (invited); US Congressman John Hall (invited); State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; Legislator Michael Kaplowitz; Ulster County Legislator Susan Zimet; Tony Sutton, Westchester EMS (invited); Lisa Rainwater, Riverkeeper; Alan Steinberg, Regional Director, US EPA (invited); Mark Jacobs, Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition; Susan Shapiro, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and others.

Moderated by Manna Jo Greene, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

WHERE & WHEN?

Willcox Gymnasium, Pace University, Pleasantville Campus, at the intersection of the Taconic Parkway & Rt. 117.

Friday, March 2. Technical briefing: 1:30pm - 5:00pm. Town Hall-style evening meeting: 6:30-8:30pm.

NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS:

TO RSVP, for further information or to request side interviews with presenters and panelists, call 845-758-0097.