Let Indian Point Prove Evacuation Plan Works Under Terrorist Attack Scenario

In a previous post, I've pointed out that the NRC's DBT and the Force on Force Exercises that are derived from it, at best, are a cruel joke on host communities. Further, we all know that Indian Points evacuation plan WILL NOT WORK. In fact, Sam Collins of the NRC admitted as much in a recent public meeting when he stated to the audience that, in the case of a fast moving nuclear incident or terrorist event at the plant, evacuation would not work, and FEMA would have to rely upon sheltering in place.

In an article posted this week, GNB shared with our readers a slide from a Centers for Disease Control presentation that show people sheltered in their homes would only have a 40 percent level of protection from the radioactive matter released in a nuclear event. For those without a basement, or those living in say a trailer, such as the park just up Route 9, the level of protection if sheltered in place drops to and even more deplorable ten percent level.

I bring this up, as it is time for reactor licensees to prove their evacuation and/or emergency plans are workable, by proving it with a full blown emergency plan implementation exercise as a part of the relicensing process. Such a precedent for such an exercise is no longer without precedent, as a 4,000 member strong contingent held the first ever large scale terrorist attack nuke crisis emergency exercise in Marion, Indiana at a cost of $700,000. To put that financial cost into perspective, $700,000 is less than one days revenue stream for the Indian Point reactors...since they seek a 20 year license renewal, such a figure is NOTHING in the big picture for their revenues.

Thinking it is time to write up another Petition For Rule Making here.

May 07, Indianapolis Star (IN) — Safety crews to simulate nuke crisis. Some 700 police and fire officials from Marion County, IN, will be part of the 4,000-strong contingent that will respond to a simulated nuclear disaster later this week at a cost of $700,000, Public Safety Director Earl Morgan said Monday, May 7. Military and public safety officials often practice their craft in simulated circumstances, but this will be the nation’s first-ever scenario depicting a situation in which a nuclear device is detonated in an American city by terrorists. The training exercise takes place Thursday through Sunday at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Jennings County on the grounds of a complex of buildings constructed in the early 1900s. Source: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070507
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