Giving Credit To Standard Bearers in Indian Point Battle

This has been a very emotional week for Green Nuclear Butterfly, and our grassroots group, FUSE USA. Due to some horrific rookie mistakes on the part of Susan Shapiro in filing our many FUSE USA petitions with the NRC, every single one of our contentions were dismissed and set aside. I do not feel the NRC, and the Atomic Safety Board (a bias pro nuclear board if one ever existed) acted fairly in their unilateral decision, but I also cannot argue with their belief that a licensed attorney at law like Susan Shapiro should have known better, should have known the basic steps required to execute a Certificate of Service, and see that all parties were adequately served. Oh well, water over the bridge, and in the fight to close Indian Point, we here at GNB, and over at FUSE USA simply do not have time to cry over spilt milk.

Pulling a 48 hour stretch, FUSE USA revamped our contentions, and filed them with the NRC early this morning with a proper Certificate of Service to all parties. Further, hard copies of said filings are being mailed First Class delivery to all parties of record as of the time of the filing early this morning. We also made sure to include our Notice of Appearance, so it seems we have all our I's dotted, and T's crossed. If we missed one or two, one would hope that the NRC and the Atomic Safety Board would do what is in the best interest of Public Health and Safety, rather than kowtowing to NEI and the nuclear industry, and give us a chance to fix minor errors, rather than simply trying to deny us our rightful involvement in the process...however, we will not hold our breath waiting for said board to DO THE RIGHT THING.

That being said, lets go on the record here. FUSE USA, Green Nuclear Butterfly and Sherwood Martinelli want to let it be known, that the NRC's rules and regulations have been deliberately set up to see citizens fail. Neither NRC, nor the nuclear industry want us actively involved in the process, so they hold AVERAGE CITIZENS to the SAME STANDARDS that licensed attorneys are held to. That is WRONG. Further, by holding average citizens, and small unfunded or under funded grassroots organizations to the same standards as attorneys, raises a serious Environmental Justice issue. A community's right to redress and representation in the process should not be curtailed, even eliminated because of a lack of money. Complicated procedural rules in the Licensing Renewal Hearing process that can only be understood by high priced attorneys does exactly that...denies poor unfunded or under funded citizens and grassroots organizations our voice in the process. As a perfect example, FUSE USA is having to spend money we do not have refiling our petitions. We are talking thousands of pages of printing has to be paid for, several hundreds of dollars in postage has to be covered. Unlike Entergy, we do not have a multi-million dollar budget to work with, are facing a real hardship in having to resubmit our documents. The board should be ASHAMED of itself for caving into Entergy's back room demands, carefully presented publicly to avoid any appearance of wrongdoing in their Motion To Strike that was inconveniently filed on the Eve of Thanksgiving.

FUSE USA had our contentions tossed out, not because they did not have merit, not because they failed to raise serious health, safety and environmental issues that are or should be in scope, but on technicalities. Entergy, and other key players (such as NY AREA, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation) want us out of the game, want to sink our small row boat before we even get fully into the water. That is not the intent of the Intervention Process, but it sadly is the reality. Those with the most money, the shrewdest attorney almost always win. Contentions that should be heard and that are worthy of further review because they were not worded EXACTLY RIGHT. That is WRONG.

We all know this is an uphill fight, and we know that our side is outgunned. Entergy has a $40 million dollar war chest, and some of the finest demon spawn attorneys from hell that money can buy. Couple this with Entergy, and the nuclear industry's (NEI) multi-million dollar propaganda campaign, and it is obvious that our side has the deck STACKED AGAINST US. That's OK, we here at GNB and FUSE USA like being the dark horse, the long shot in a star filled field.

So, let's applaud some of the Standard Bearers in the fight to "Close Indian Point", acknowledge those that are marching us into the Valley of Death.

Today, Nancy Burton of Mothball Millstone weighed into the fight, and we could not ask for a more seasoned veteran. Millstone, much like Vermont Yankee and Entergy's decaying Indian Point represents one of the most despicable and unsafe facilities in the entire American Nuclear Fleet of decrepit reactors. Never giving up, fighting against overwhelming odds, Nancy Burton this week was able to argue her issues before Connecticut's Highest Court. She's a trooper, and glad to know she is going to be in this fight to the bitter end.

Flanking her in this David verse Goliath on steroids fight is Westchester County Commissioner Andy Spano...now, I have to admit to having some differences with Andy Spano (do not like his robo dialer). So, when we here at GNB state that he is a serious warrior that has his heart in the right place where Indian Point is concerned, we hope it carries a LOT OF WEIGHT. He understands what is involved for our community, understands that Indian Point MUST BE CLOSED. He has been in this fight for a long time, was been battling Indian Point in the courts long before Entergy filed their License Renewal Application. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Maurice Hinchey, Nita Lowey, and sadly, even John Hall, Andrew Spano is willing to take a stand, and is DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN to shut down an unsafe nuclear facility. For that, he has the respect of GNB, and FUSE USA.

The State Attorney Generals of numerous states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont deserve credit for their involvement in this and other fights to close down dangerous reactors. Groups like NIRS, WISE and Mothers For Peace all deserve a standing ovation. NEC up in Vermont is another dedicated group of warriors that are giving Entergy a serious battle, and as the old saying goes, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."

There are other groups, well funded groups that should and must do more, have been far to silent so far in this battle. With Kennedy's recent endorsement of Hillary Clinton (who has taken BIG MONEY from Entergy and NEI donors), Riverkeeper needs to publicly DISTANCE THEMSELVES from Kennedy, as he is betraying the cause, is not being the stand up player that he should be in this fight. Further, we here at GNB hope that Riverkeeper and Clearwater when they file their contentions have not narrowed their fight to a very small group of contentions doomed to failure, not really aimed at closing down the aging, dangerous Indian Point facility. They get the LION's SHARE of the GREEN DONATIONS, and as organizations with the most, it is right to expect them to be doing the most. It is fundamentally wrong for Riverkeeper to be holding a Donor's breakfast at the home of the Rockefeller Fund, and DENYING other grassroots organizations a SEAT AT THE TABLE. God forbid that some of the smaller groups that are in this fight steal a crumb or two of support from one of their donors!

This more than any other License Renewal fight is a defining moment, will decide the path we as a community, and a nation will travel. So far, the NRC has wrongfully granted 48 reactor operators a License Renewal over community objections. However, with the gallant efforts of the folks up in Brattleboro, with Mothers For Peace stunning victory in the Ninth Circuit Court, the tide has begun to turn. Respected leaders are now speaking out AGAINST GNEP, and average citizens are beginning to realize that nuclear is not as safe and green as the industry tries to make us believe it is. If we stop the License Renewal of Indian Point, there is a good chance we stop the Nuclear Renaissance train from leaving the station, and that is a fight we need to all be involved in. For ourselves, and for our children, License Renewal for Indian Point must be stopped at all cost.

This is a "All Hands on Deck" movement, and we need every boat in the water if we are going to have a chance of killing the nuclear giant that is Entergy. So, to the real leaders in this movement, a heartfelt thank you as we all prepare to march into a battle that is going to get very ugly.

Mayor Orders Nuke Plant Closed, Company President Apologizes

The Mayor of KASHIWAZAKI, Japan has ordered Tokyo Electric Powers seven reactors shut down until they can prove they are SAFE! The NRC would have a shit fit if Andrew Spano ordered Indian Point shut down...after all, God Forbid Entergy's profits be impinged upon because of SAFETY ISSUES such as tritium and strontium 90 leaking into the Hudson River. Tokyo Electric Power's stock took a one percent hit yesterday, and sure the Mayor's announcement will see said stock tumble further. If the NRC actually starts enforcing its regulations at Entergy and Exelon nuclear reactors here in America, we could see similar stock plummets here as well. If there was ever a risky time to own Entergy stocks, right now seems to be it.

Indian Point represents almost 20 percent of Entergy's nuclear arsenal, and the aging brittled reactors have some serious problems...far more serious than those of the currently closed Tokyo Electric Power reactors that could remain closed for months, if not years. After all, the ground under the reactors WENT LIQUID for God's sake. Indian Point failed five of the six siting criteria back when they were originally licensed, and the fact said reactors sit on top of a earth quake fault line should seriously jeopardize their bid for relicense...SAY TUNED folks, as this fight is far from over, and when the dust settles, Westchester might yet rid themselves of these monsters.

Mayor Closes Quake-Hit Japan Nuke Plant

By ERIC TALMADGE,

AP

Posted: 2007-07-17 23:13:30

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan (AP) - The mayor ordered that a nuclear power plant hit by a strong earthquake be shut down Wednesday until its safety could be confirmed after a long list of problems - including radiation leaks, burst pipes and fires - came to light.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's largest nuclear plant in power output capacity.

Signs of problems after Monday's quake came first not from the officials, but in a plume of smoke that rose up when the quake triggered a small fire at an electrical transformer.

It was announced only 12 hours later that the magnitude 6.8 temblor also caused a leak of about 315 gallons of water containing radioactive material. Officials said the water leak was well within safety standards. The water was flushed into the sea.

Later Tuesday, it said 50 cases of "malfunctioning and trouble" had been found. Four of the plant's seven reactors were running at the time of the quake, and they were all shut down automatically by a safety mechanism.

Officials said there was no harm to the environment, but acknowledged it took a day to discover about 100 drums of low-level nuclear waste that were overturned, some with the lids open.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

07/17/07 23:12 EDT

Utility chief apologizes for problems at quake-hit nuke plant

By ERIC TALMADGE,

AP

Posted: 2007-07-17 23:15:01

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan (AP) - A top power official apologized for radioactive leaks and several other malfunctions that occurred at a Japanese nuclear plant after a deadly earthquake, but said the company's basic safety measures still worked.

The comments came just moments after the mayor of the local city hosting the power plant ordered the facility shut down until its safety can be confirmed.

Tsunehisa Katsumata, president of plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co., toured the site Wednesday morning, declaring it "a mess." The previous evening, his company released a list of dozens of problems triggered by Monday's 6.8-magnitude quake.

"It is hard to make everything go perfectly," Katsumata said.

"We will conduct an investigation from the ground up. But I think fundamentally we have confirmed that our safety measures worked," he said.

While TEPCO says the quake was stronger than planned for, it has said none of the problems posed serious threats to people or the environment.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

07/17/07 23:13 EDT

Indian Point, Entergy, NuStart, DOE, NRC, Electric Cars, Green Models OH MY!

If my readers ears have been ringing, it is not surprising...seems that my article on Summer Rayne's connection to ETS Energy Store, then ETS Energy Store's connections to BGA Engineering, coupled with BGA's ties to Indian Point have sounded those NON WORKING SIRENS over at Indian Point. If you are shaking your head wishing you had a program, don't feel alone, as this story gets more confusing with each passing radioactive contaminate escaping the failing Indian Point facility. It is time for us within the Green Movement to demand that our heroes, those we look up to, live up to the GREEN MANTLE they have chosen to wear. Summer Rayne must make a choice, as do others within the Green business community, and the larger community as a whole, including politicians like Congressman John Hall. You cannot claim to be GREEN, and embrace the dangerous and environmentally destructive Nuclear Industry.

Grist has gone so far as to proclaim Summer Rayne the Hottest eco-model on the horizon, some have even gone so far as to proclaim her the FIRST LADY of the environment, so finding her even indirectly associated with Indian Point is BIG NEWS in the Green Fashion Industry, or at least should be. This young (supposedly) social entrepreneur is in high demand, even showing up at the Vanity Fair "Green Issue" Party in an outfit that hinted of cream sickles melting on a globally warm day. Eco Models like Summer Rayne Oakes and Betcee, as well as other eco/social entrepreneurs such as Seth Leitman of ETS Energy Store have to realize that there is a responsibility that comes with the money and fame they seek in cloaking themselves and their business enterprises in the GREEN MANTLE of the grassroots environmental movement. To be GREEN, you have to ACT GREEN in all you say and do, or be labeled for what you are, which is a hypocrite.

In a nutshell, you cannot use the Green Movement and what it represents when it is convenient, cannot put on the Green Mantle like some costume or fashion accessory worn on SPECIAL OCCASIONS. If you are green, you make GREEN DECISIONS, and NUCLEAR IS NOT GREEN in any way, shape or fashion. CASEnergy, DOE, NRC, Entergy, NuStart and a host of other power players would like to use the GREEN MANTLE and people like Summer Rayne to remake the nuclear industry, but it cannot and will not be allowed, the nuclear industry must not be allowed to steal that which is not theirs to own. NuStart and the DOE would like to use the GREEN Industry (willingly or through stealth) to help them remake Nuclear into the Green ENERGY of the future, to replace NO NUKES with NO CO2's in getting the American Public to give said nuclear industry a second chance THEY DO NOT DESERVE. The game is afoot, and the alarm bells must be rung, those who have been tired and worn must come out of retirement as we push back this attempt to build a whole new generation of FAILED REACTORS. The elders of the GREEN MOVEMENT must come forward, act as mentors to this new young GREEN MOVEMENT before they are corrupted by the money changers in the halls of the Nuclear Industry, and governmental agencies willing to sell out human health and the environment for their own sick and sadistic machinations.

Don't think that the Green Nuclear Butterfly is singling out just a few Eco-Models as examples, as it is not just them, or certain players in the GREEN FASHION INDUSTRY who need to take a VERY PUBLIC STAND against Nuclear Power, NuStart, Entergy and the failing Indian Point Reactors. New York's new governor Eliot Spitzer has all but guaranteed the closure of Indian Point, promised to stand with fellow Indian Point oppenent, and newly elected Freshman Congressman John Hall (of Orleans Fame). Older members of Congress like Congressman Maurice Hinchey need to stand up in a very public way, must act as crusaders to not only SHUT DOWN INDIAN POINT, but to UNFUND George Bush's Nuclear 2010 plan for a whole new generation of reactors. More local politicians such as Westchester County Commissioner Andy Spano need to stop speaking with forked tongues, need to stand up on a stage before national news cameras and state that Indian Point WILL BE CLOSED, even if local law enforcement have to chain shut the gates to do it. Promising SWIFT ACTION to CLOSE INDIAN POINT can no longer be an empty campaign promise used to win over the GRASSROOTS, but must be followed by serious actions, including public outcry in front of the cameras on the six o'clock news.

How many famous musicians were on the Campaign Trail with Congressman John Hall singing out about the ills of Nuclear Energy, and bringing our troops home. They awakened our spirit in the grassroots again, gave us hope of better days ahead. The election is over, but those musicians have to realize they CANNOT, MUST NOT walk away and abandon the issues, abandon the people they energized. Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, The Mammals, and even John Hall himself have a civic duty to LEAD THE FIGHT to CLOSE INDIAN POINT. Why aren't these musicians working with a group like Rock The Reactors to hold a MAJOR CONCERT to focus attention on this failing nuclear industry, and their 104 aging reactors, with Indian Point perched on top of the list as one of, if not the worst nuclear site in the entire world besides Chernobyl?

Imagine the INTERNATIONAL PRESS ATTENTION that could be focused on Entergy's failing reactors at Indian Point if New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Congressmen Hall and Hinchey were flanked by super models Betcee and Summer Rayne, with the entire group backed up by the likes of Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt...THAT IS FRONT PAGE NEWS, that is prime time 6:00 PM on ABC, CBS, NBC, BCC, CNN and even die hard Bush Channel FOX. In short, that group of people standing together in a unified voice could ROCK THE REACTORS, could shut down Indian Point...but, that requires them to be leaders, requires them to be socially conscious beings, requires them to stand on the side of right and justice against all odds, and if they do that, groups like Green Peace, Riverkeeper, Sierra Club and others will be right there beside them as we do what must be done, which is close Indian Point, and pull the plug on a failed industry. It's the right thing to do.