The 'Raging Grannies' Protest Indian Point

An elderly group of ten protesters braved freezing weather to sing anti-nuclear power songs on Route 202 last night.

“No nukes, no nukes, Indian Point has to go, right now,” the group of mostly women sang.

“We are demanding no re-licensing of ” said Dale Saltzman, a retired teacher from Yorktown. “We get horns and cursed at. Sometimes we have a competition to see who can get the most middle fingers.”

The group consisted of Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, Franciscan nuns from Garrison’s Graymoor, and the “Raging Grannies,” who led the group in song. They used to protest in front of the Mobile station at the Taconic entrance in Yorktown, but moved west to in front of Chase Bank near BJ’s. Saltzman called last night's protest their "second incarnation" after a several week break.

Indian Point Units 2 and 3 are up for re-licensing in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said equipment can operate safely for next 20 years, said Entergy Point Spokesman Jerry Nappi. Nappi said that later this year the relicensing process will reach a point where contentions are heard by a separate branch of the NRC in the form of public hearings. The scheduling of public hearings should be announced mid-year, Nappi said.

The anti-nuclear protesters intend to picket Route 202 throughout the winter every Wednesday evening. They started their protests last fall.

"The only thing that is tough is when it is raining and cold," Saltzman said. He also explained that they identify with Occupy Wall Street and consider themselves an “OWS North” group. He even proposed that OWS set up camp in the empty lot across from the Chase bank where Crompond Crossing, an age restricted community housing is set to begin construction this winter.

For now, they will continue to spend an hour or two every Wednesday on Route 202 with signs that read "unsafe, unsecured, fatal," among others, playing on Entergy's "Safe, Secure, Vital" slogan. In addition to their claims that nuclear energy is dangerous they also say that Indian Point prevents communities in its 10-mile radius from reaching their potential for development.

“I love Peekskill,” Saltzman said. “But it will never be anything until the entombment of Indian Point.”

In response to the protester’s picketing, Nappi said: “Indian Point is judged a safe plant by an independent federal regulator. Entergy has invested a billion dollars in safety enhancements since its purchase of the Units from Con Ed and the State Power Authority (about 10 years ago).” He added that the units are a remarkable resource for the state as they generate 25 percent of New York City’s electricity and do not emit any pollution into the air.

What are your thoughts on the re-licensing? Tell us in the comments and take our poll.

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