Phillips throws the switch, activating the new system

BUCHANAN - Indian Point officials flipped the switch at noon Wednesday turning on the new Emergency Notification System, culminating over a year of fines, and communication with federal authorities to help foster safer conditions for workers and residents in surrounding areas.

With a few clicks of the mouse, Senior Emergency Planner Frank Phillips activated the new combined radio/siren system at the Buchanan nuclear power plant.

Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi said the company overcame several obstacles. “Throughout the process we fell short on several levels; we definitely took our lumps, but in the end the Hudson Valley has one of the finest alert notification systems in the world and we are very proud of that.”

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Wednesday said to will continue to monitor the performance of the new emergency notification system for the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

The new $20 million ENS increases the number of sirens from 156 to 172 and includes over 2,400 Tone Alert Radios, for homeowners in the most highly populated areas around the power plant who may want additional notice of a pending emergency situation.

All of these upgrades are part of the requirements set by the NRC and FEMA, in an attempt to bring the plant up to national standards.  Over the last year and a half, Entergy has been slapped with $780,000 in fines for not complying with the standards; plant officials feel now they have met those standards.

The old system will be put in standby mode in case the new siren/radio system fails.