Environment Central to New York Congressional Race
Environment Central to New York Congressional Race
NORTH SALEM, New York, October 16, 2002 (ENS) - Janine Selendy is campaigning to represent New York's 19th District in the House of Representatives - the district within which the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant stands on the east bank of the Hudson River.
A Democrat making her first foray onto the campaign trail, Selendy heads Horizon International, an award winning website and TV series based at Yale University that showcases sustainable solutions to environmental problems worldwide. She has pledged to strive for the prompt decommissioning of Indian Point nuclear power plant.
Currently, Republican Sue Kelly represents District 19, which takes in all of Putnam County, Northern Westchester, most of Dutchess and a portion of Orange County. An educator, small business owner, patient advocate, and Harvard University researcher in botany and bacteriology, Kelly has a strong environmental record, but she is silent on the issue of Indian Point.
Indian Point Reactor 3 (Photo courtesy New York Power Authority)
Towns and villages in the district, as well as local and national environmental groups, are worried that the two reactors that power Indian Point are vulnerable to terrorist attack. Another reactor on the site is inactive.
They have petitioned the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to close Indian Point, which they say endangers the 20 million people who live within a 50 mile radius of the plant, located just 24 miles north of the New York City boundary.
They also fear that the Entergy operated plant is unsafe because of repeated accidents, most recently in February 2000 when faulty tubes sent 20,000 gallons of radioactive water into the containment building releasing radioactive steam into the air over Indian Point 2.
Selendy says Indian Point presented a threat even when it was first built in 1976 "on an earthquake fault line and in a highly populated location," and should never have been built where it is.
"Now the CIA is warning that because of the Bush administration's treatment of Iraq and threats of pre-emptive strikes, the threat of attacks against the U.S. is heightened. Among the major targets is Indian Point."
In case of accident or attack, "Any reasonable assurance of evacuation is not possible even according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission which granted the permission for the building and licensing of the facilities," she says.
"We need to develop alternative, affordable energy to replace the power currently produced at Indian Point," Selendy says, and job training should "commence at once" so that no employee will be without work during any phase of the transition.
Selendy is strong on the environment, but the New York League of Conservation Voters handed its endorsement to Kelly.
In recognition of her "dedication to preserving and protecting the environment," incumbent Kelly has been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).
The NYLCV cited Kelly's support for new fuel economy standards, support for a strong federal commitment to cleaning up toxic waste sites with polluter pays policies and Kelly's sponsorship of legislation to help local communities control water pollution and upgrade local sewer systems. But there is no mention of Indian Point.
"One of my very first accomplishments in Congress was the passage of my legislation known as the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Act, providing millions of dollars to clean and protect the Hudson River," said Kelly. "Since then, I have made protecting the local and national environment one of my top priorities. The Hudson Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the nation. I want to keep it that way."
Selendy has her endorsements too. Richard Ottinger, Dean Emeritus of Pace Law School, has known Selendy since the 1970s when she helped to keep PCB effluents out of the Hudson River. "Janine Selendy is one of the ablest and most creative people I have met," said Ottinger. "Her Horizon International organization at Yale has served important needs for sustainable development that translate well into what we need to do in our own back yards."
