PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

June 24, 2002

Contact:

Alex Matthiessen, Riverkeeper, Inc.: (845) 424-4149

Kyle Rabin, Riverkeeper, Inc.: (845) 424-4149

Anne Reynolds, Environmental Advocates of New York: (518) 229-1539

GROUPS URGE NEW YORK STATE SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO BETTER PROTECT NUCLEAR PLANT WHISTLEBLOWERS AT INDIAN POINT AND OTHER NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN NEW YORK

Riverkeeper and Environmental Advocates of New York are urging members of the New York State Senate to pass nuclear whistleblower protection legislation (S. 521). A same as version of this bill has already passed the Assembly (A. 528). If enacted, this legislation would better protect those working on the frontlines and it would safeguard the public health and safety of millions of people who live within a short distance of New York’s six commercial reactors. Approximately, 20 million people live within 50 miles of the Indian Point nuclear plants.

“In light of electric utility deregulation and the terrorist threat to nuclear power plants, there has never been a greater need for a program that protects safety-conscious workers who “blow the whistle” on employer actions or inaction which pose a threat to nuclear safety or the health of workers and the public,” said Alex Matthiessen. “We urge the Senate to pass this legislation in the lasts days of the session and we call on Governor Pataki to sign it into law.”

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (A.528) and Senator Thomas Morahan (S.521) are sponsors of nuclear whistleblower protection legislation in their respective houses. “Both have made this issue a priority and have been great leaders,” said Matthiessen. In fact, the state Assembly has passed nuclear whistleblower protection legislation (A.528) in 2001 and 2002. This legislation passed the New York Senate in 1993 when then Senator George Pataki sponsored the bill.

With just days left in the session, Governor Pataki has circulated a program bill (132R) which addresses whistleblower protection. 
However, the bill – which is currently being introduced in both houses (A. 11839 / S. ) - contains language, not found in S. 521 / 
A. 528, which places a greater burden on nuclear whistleblowers by requiring that a safety or security concern that an employee 
wishes to disclose be in clear violation of a law, rule or regulation. This places unreasonable burden on a plant employee to have 
to knowledge of a clear violation, even though regardless, there may still be a threat to public health and safety. Many 
whistleblower law experts believe this is a significant loophole.

“This is the year to put protections for nuclear workers into law.  When we safeguard workers at nuclear reactors, we’re also protecting ourselves,” stated Anne Reynolds, Air and Energy Program Director at Environmental Advocates of New York.  “We have been anxiously awaiting a nuclear whistleblower law, and are happy to see some movement on this issue.”

Recent concerns raised by employees at the Indian Point 2 and 3 nuclear power plants clearly indicate the need for stronger nuclear whistleblower protection. A report filed in late 2000 by an employee at Con Edison’s Indian Point 2 (IP-2) plant, indicates that supervisory disdain for employee concerns has created a “chilling effect” which discourages safety-conscious workers from reporting problems.