Letters: Kudos to Carrie, no new license for Indian Point

Kudos to Carrie Jones Ross

Thanks to the great article by Carrie Jones Ross in the Kingston Times (Feb. 21 edition), a donation was made to our church by Sgt. George Gunning and the good folks at the Corrections Division of the Ulster County Jail. Denise Prendergast, the jail’s liaison, gave us the good news and coordinated the events leading to the donation. Inspired by Ms. Ross’ article about the creation of senior pantries in the Governor Clinton and Yosman Tower apartments, Sgt. Gunning and members of the Corrections Division reached out with compassion and generosity to support our work. The St. James United Methodist Church and Friends of Shayne Gallo have also supported our mission and helped us to help others. Kudos to Ms. Ross and the Kingston Times for their support and blessings to all of our wonderful friends and neighbors in Kingston!

The Rev. Darlene Kelley, Pastor, Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church, Kingston

Our own Fukushima?

Two years have passed since the tragic nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan. A major earthquake wiped out three of Daiichi’s nuclear reactors, causing widespread radioactive contamination that still exists today. This tragedy should serve as a warning to the Hudson Valley, with regard to the Indian Point nuclear facility located in Westchester County. The New York Public Interest Research Group has been working to shut down Indian Point for decades. A 1982 study, commissioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) titled “Calculation of Reactor Accident Consequences” estimates that a meltdown of nuclear reactor 3 at Indian Point would result in 50,000 deaths and 167,000 injuries. These figures only represent short-term damage; many would suffer from prolonged cancer deaths. The Indian Point facility is located on two active geological fault lines, and is a prime target if an earthquake were to occur. According to the NRC, out of the 104 commercial reactors in the United States, Indian Point has the highest risk of core damage from an earthquake. Entergy, the company that owns Indian Point, has an appalling safety record. Governments at every level have acknowledged that evacuation plans are inadequate. Located only 34 miles from Times Square, and right in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Indian Point has the potential to bring catastrophe to this tranquil, safe region. This year is a crucial one in deciding Indian Point’s fate. Relicensing hearings will continue as New York State debates whether to keep Indian Point or opt for cleaner and safer alternatives. We must not forget about the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, and act before it is too late.

Lauren Levin, New Paltz