Greenpeace Co-founder Joins Giuliani in Supporting Indian Point

Greenpeace Co-founder Joins Giuliani in Supporting Indian Point

Mid-Hudson News

November 22, 2006

Yonkers – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Co-Founder of Greenpeace Patrick Moore came out in support of Indian Point Energy Center operator Entergy renewing a 20-year license to run the facility. Both said that the Rockland County-based powerplant is one of the most safest nuclear power facilities in the United States, and should be a model for future ones.

Mayor Giuliani, who runs the security consulting firm hired by Entergy, Guiliani Partners, said that Indian Point is “perfectly safe” and that as a nuclear plant, it “gives no more of a risk to society than any other industry around.”

Giuliani cited examples of how other countries around the world are using only nuclear and hydroelectric power to serve at least 80-90% of their populations. He noted that Sweden, one of the world leaders in environmental safety, now has done away with using fossil fuels for energy, and has focused completely on nuclear and hydroelectric power, eliminating harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

He also noted that Finland is currently building the world’s largest nuclear power plant; he said the United States should be right behind them.

“The usage of nuclear energy is more practical now than ever,” Guiliani said during a news conference held this morning at the Yonkers Public Library.

“ We need to keep up with the rest of the world in terms of environmental safety and emerging population solutions. We need to begin to move away from fossil fuels as quick as possible.”

Greenpeace Co-Founder Patrick Moore was also on hand to support Entergy’s licensing renewal, and told attendees, with a smirk on his face, that he feels that workers at Indian Point are “safer than those in banking and finance.”

He also claimed that nuclear power is not only safer, but in the long run will be more affordable to residents.

“Nuclear power is less expensive than coal, and we feel that Indian Point will be a strong competitor considering this. It is time for people to realize that nuclear power is the way to go.”

Guiliani claimed that evacuation and safety issues many, including Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, have brought up in the past few years are not only the responsibility of the plant operator Entergy, but also the duty of local public officials in the county and state.

He said he feels that they have appropriately collaborated in the past, and will do so in the future, hopefully alleviating many of the risks adversaries may have.