Guest guest Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 November 5, 2008 State will not pull security at Indian Point By Abby Luby State officials from Governor Paterson’s office and the division of military and naval affairs say that media reports last week stating budget cuts would mean scaling back security at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants in Buchanan are untrue. “We haven’t made any formal announcements about minimizing security at Indian Point. No final decision has been made,†said the governor’s spokesperson, Morgan Hook. “Any decision made on security at Indian Point will be made only with the intention of increasing security. It is not a budget consideration.†Hook indicated that the stories about a security pull back were unfounded but did say there were discussions about changing the type of security around the power plant. Eric Durr, spokesman for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) said his organization evaluates security operations on an ongoing basis. The DMNA oversees security carried out by the Army, Air and Naval military, the National Guard. Durr said they were considering using what he calls a “pop-up†style security. “That’s where our security teams assist police by suddenly appearing on the scene. The mission at Indian Point in Buchanan continues to be evaluated, but nothing is changed at this time.†Durr explained how security troops stationed in public places, like airports and train stations, would now be moving around. “We decided it was an inefficient use of our troops and we reconfigured them to an entity that’s more flexible.†Since September 11, 2001 nuclear power plants have been considered vulnerable targets for terrorists. A 2002 report by the National Research Council, “ Making The Nation Safer: The Role Of Science And Technology In Countering Terrorism,†claimed “the potential for 9/11 type attacks on nuclear power plants is high.†The report describes the risk as high with potential consequences “ranging from reactor shutdowns to core meltdowns with very large releases of radioactivity.†Since then about 84 National Guardsmen and 15 Naval Militia troops have been assigned to Indian Point. The state estimates that it costs them about $6.25 million. Regulations issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission also forced utility owners to beef up security around the plants. “We’ve made significant security enhancements since 911 and those will remain in place,†said Jim Steets of Entergy. “We’ve done multiple studies over the years and have complied to strict security requirements by the NRC, which don’t include the National Guard.†Steets added that they also have protection from the river. “We can’t give details, but that protection from the river will remain.†As to news about a decrease in security operations, Steets said “We haven’t been notified about the National Guard changing their plans.†Ninety-five National Guardsmen at nuclear power plants in upstate Oswego and Lake Ontario were pulled earlier this year by Gov. Paterson. Phil Musegaas of the environment group Riverkeeper said if the state eventually pulls the national guard from Indian Point, the state should require Entergy to make up the difference. “Entergy should be required to bolster their security and have a presence on the Hudson. A visual deterrent on the river is a huge concern for us.†According to Hook the National Guard on the Indian Point property is a visible presence. “But they don’t have the authority to arrest people in terms of security. For the future, any changes that are made at Indian Point will comply with the federal standards for nuclear facilities.†Hook said regardless of any future changes to the security at Indian Point, a 24 hour security force would be maintained. “The state is not going to take action that is going to affect the security at the plant.†About 1200 people work at the plant, 200 of those man the guard towers and patrol its 239 acres. Entergy has claimed that security is the largest department at the plant and that training three times a year includes long-range weapons and regularly scheduled " force-on-force " drills. These soldiers who are engaged in state active duty mission are paid out of state funds. Soldiers engaged in federally adeated mission including those in Afghanistan and Iraq are financed by the federal government. Two totally natl guard. Sepatarte state and fed mission. The fed doesn’t affect state mission. Two dif funding some soldiers worked state active have been deployed over seas. MORGAN: Natl guardman done have the autroity to arrest pepo in terms fo the security not like a ol force theyare a resence. Other secu there. Not the ony acting security at the facility. Any changes that are made the sec at the site will copaly what the site federal standards at nuk facilty be in copoaiance with those. The stase is not going to atke any action goin to effect the security for ip. Any actin that is taken by stase. Will be having done through security evaluatin for that site. Willl there be 24 at th stie. Always be a taoseucity. Steets: cnat give details. Have support form the ntal gurad. Additional supprt from the cost guard. We feel security paln we have in pace includes protedtion from the river will remain. We haven’t herad one way or the other. We are requi to rpivide sec for the palnt from both the river and from the around the rest of the plant. Our security forces and capabilities will not be diminished if the natl guard leaves alce. The dube wont’ change unless not atipiating. We have tens of millsion of solard since 911.done multiple studies over the years oes over the yrs other. There are suctiyr requirements that are the nrc requires a certain level of seucity h we have to meet those require wo the natal gurad. We cantake credit ofero the ntal guard seucityr as part of our seur opaln. W have a very security andefiensive paln not involed the natl guard. No dimineshiment in sec our sec pan reagarles of ntal guard. We Durr: and more oper instead team airport we now divided into companies of soldiers these compaies a variety of mission what they do - a pop up – if fmailiare w Hercules team concept - they will suddenly hafeily armed ocps show up a potential attacker where or when extra secure will materialz we do the same thing wih nyc. Instead of being staic u move around. We work for the gov. Still doin the same We work for gov. my interim layers of command. Contually reevalutaion sec of ope made changes. In 2007 four members congress, including Maurice Hinchey and John Hall called for a no-fly zone over Indian Point. It used to be that in nyc a group o guys showed up a train sta. or path terminal or airport a basiclay on a guard post type op, Operationally we don’t want t tell people. we continue the sec arrangemn in nyc more effective can’ comment on You don’t want yr enemy to know where you have. Can’t comment on have not yet implemented any change. We haven’t made ny chages yet. We ahvent’ --- To , e-mail: announce- For additional commands, e-mail: announce-help **************Finally, one site has it all: your friends, your email, your favorite sites. Try the NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000006) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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