DEP Press Advisory on Deer Hunting Cancellation, October 2, 2001

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o o i Tighter security at Indian Point nuclear plant 1^ o "0 o c o CT

cn o' ro "0 o o> By GREG WILSON DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Since the World Trade Center attack, security has been tightened at the Indian 1 o o o c Point nuclear power plant in Westchester, 3 CD where a suicide terrorist strike could O have a devastating effect on the metropol­ itan area, experts say. The plant is located in the Hudson River town of Buchanan, 45 miles north of lower Manhattan, and its two reactors send power to about 2 million homes and businesses. Coast Guard cutters now pa­ trol nearby waters, and communications with law enforcement and military au­ thorities have been established, said Indi­ an Point spokesman Jim Steets. “I can’t go into details, but before Sept. 11, we had security capabilities beyond those which a normal facility would have, and after Sept. 11, we added several oth­ ers,” he said. Security also has been beefed up at the other 102 nuclear reactors at 65 sites (A around the nation, which supply 20% of § the nation’s energy. z Meanwhile, the House Energy and ____________ s Commerce Committee yesterday ap­ § proved measures to require the Nuclear POSSIBLE HOT SPOT Three domelike structures at Con Edison’s Indian Point nuclear plant in Buchanan, Westchester Regulatory Commission to boost security County. Security has been beefed up there after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. at the 103 nuclear reactors. I One bill, if enacted, would require the Concerned experts warned this week jrhe Washington-based Nuclear Con­ said that if a containment dome was 8CM commission to reassess the threat of a sui­ that had terrorists flown hijacked planes trol Institute has called on the federal gov­ somehow shattered, the safety systems cide attack by individuals “with sophisti­ into Indian Point — instead of the World ernment to use troops and anti-aircraft would likely prove useless. cated knowledge of facility operations” Trade Center — the camage would have defenses to protect power plants. Discus­ Experts say an uncontained meltdown O been many times greater. sion of such a measure was tabled yester­ would send a large plume of highly radio­ using modem explosives and weaponry. day by the House Energy Committee. active material as far as 50 miles down­ § Officials at the International Atomic En­ o Another approved measure boosts max­ Indian Point’s reactors are under wind. imum penalties for sabotage against nu­ ergy Agency have conceded that no plant 5-foot-thick, steel-reinforced concrete Those closest to the plant could be ■o (/) clear facilities to $1 million from $10,000, is designed to shield a reactor from a domes built to contain radiation in case killed within days, while those within a I and maximum prison terms to life with- 200-ton jet flown by a terrorist with a of a meltdown. 50-mile radius would have greatly in­ >- out parole from a 10-year maximum. death wish. But institute physicist Edwin Lyman creased chances of getting cancer.