Community Corner
Retired Plant Health Physicist Cites Scientific Studies; Rebuts Celebrity-Induced Cancer Hysteria on Indian Point
New York, NY/October 4, 2013 – In conjunction with a panel discussion concerning the safety of the Indian Point nuclear power plant hosted by the Radiation and Public Health Project and actor Alec Baldwin, John Kelly, a Certified Health Physicist, retired radiation protection manager and director of licensing at the Indian Point Energy Center, and member of New York AREA today issued the following statement.
“For more than 35 years, world-renowned scientists and government health agencies have continually and rigorously looked at the issue of potential radiation exposure from nuclear power plants and any health impact on the public. Entities such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the National Cancer Institute, which is a division of the National Institutes of Health, and many others have consistently found there is no negative health impact.
The announcements and schemes by the Radiation and Public Health Project are highly unlikely to stand up to mainstream, scientific peer review. As a specialist in radiation safety, I know that Indian Point is safe and have lived within four miles of the plant for the last 42 years.
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Celebrity-filled and scientifically-void press conferences can misguide the public about the stellar safety record of Indian Point, which has received the NRC’s highest safety rating for the last nine years, and the actual health benefits of the plants.
The Lower Hudson Valley and New York City has significant air quality problems because of high levels of particulate and ozone which cause asthma, lung disorders, and many other health problems. Without Indian Point, it would be necessary to increase fossil fuel use to produce the electricity that would otherwise be produced by Indian Point and this would exacerbate the air pollution problems in the area and the related health consequences.
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The reality is that Indian Point’s power mitigates toxic pollution and makes the region’s air cleaner and safer.”
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About New York AREA: Founded in November 2003, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) is a diverse group of more than 150 business, labor, and community groups whose mission and purpose is to ensure that New York has an ample and reliable electricity supply, and economic prosperity for years to come. New York AREA helps to educate policy makers, businesses, and the general public regarding the necessity and importance of safe, low-cost and reliable electricity. Entergy, the operator of Indian Point, is a member of New York AREA. For additional information visit: www.area-alliance.org.
