Another day, another chance to debate the fate of Indian Point. Another meeting of the Westchester County Board of Legislators”™ Environmental and Energy Committee and another opportunity for legislators to weigh in.
This time, they”™re calling on federal regulators to extend to 50 miles the 10-mile evacuation zone around the Indian Point nuclear facility in Buchanan.
“Whether Indian Point is open or closed, we”™re going to need an evacuation plan because of the spent fuel that is at Indian Point,” county Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, D-Somers, was quoted in a local report.
An evacuation plan in the event of a nuclear disaster? It”™s not feasible. And spending a lot of time talking about it is not logical.
We”™re not being flippant. We”™re being realistic. We question the entire premise of an evacuation plan, in its current form or any expanded or enhanced version.
This county can be very difficult to get into or out of on any given day. Throw in a heavy downpour and traffic comes to halt. Such was the case several weeks ago as witnessed by one editor, for whom it took two hours to travel from Yonkers to White Plains. And while tempers were short that morning, no one was fleeing in panic over spent fuel rods and nuclear explosions. Most of us were just trying to get to work.
The infrastructure in this county is deteriorating and many roads and parkways are unable to handle the flooding. The Saw Mill River swallowed part of its parkway last month, hosting a kayaker or two.
Rather than spending time, energy and, in turn, taxpayer dollars devising elaborate evacuation schemes, the county should first take a closer look at its infrastructure.
No doubt there have been numerous studies, conducted at significant costs, on area roadways and bridges ”“ and some of these fall under federal or state jurisdictions ”“ but legislators would be wise to consider the challenges of getting around the county, rather than just getting out of it.
Of course, all of this debate of late surrounding Indian Point points back to the horrific events in Japan, following the earthquake, tsunami and resultant nuclear nightmare there.
In recent weeks, lawmakers and industry experts have discussed the nuclear facility”™s vulnerability to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
As we recently pointed out on this page, of all the issues surrounding Indian Point and other nuclear facilities, one that can be readily dealt with is the spent fuel rods. It should be addressed.
In the meantime, the “should it be closed” debate rages on.
Can the plant be closed. Absolutely.
But if the state wants to shut it down, we need to have a plan in place ”“ an actual working alternative.
In a July 26, 2010, letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding Entergy”™s application for a license renewal for Indian Point, Con Edison Vice President Joseph Oates stated:
“There would be violations of well-established and longstanding reliability criteria if Indian Point Units 2 and 3 were to shut down without replacement electric capability in place and operating.
In addition, the retirement of the Indian Point units would result in adverse impacts on the cost of electricity, the local economy, and would serve to increase greenhouse gas and other air emissions.”
Are we ready to pay more for electricity? Can we deal with rolling blackouts? Will we accept compromising our air?
Ours is a society of impatience and desire. We want it all. That comes at a price.
It”™s not a question of “Can the plant be closed?”
It”™s a question of money and resolve.
