ELR Citation: ELR 20643
No(s). s. 83-4003, -4037 (2d Cir. May 27, 1983)

The court finds that although several deficiencies remain in the off-site preparedness plan for the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan, New York, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) did not abuse its discretion in deciding not to take enforcement action to shut down or otherwise restrict operation of the plant. The court first dismisses the County of Rockland's petition because it failed to exhaust available administrative remedies before seeking appellate review. The court also rules that NRC's decision not to take enforcement action is a final order subject to judicial review. The court then upholds NRC's decision that its regulations do not require it to shut down the plant. Although the current emergency preparedness plans do not provide "reasonable assurances" that adequate protective measures exist, NRC properly decided not to take action after considering several factors specified in the regulations. The court rules that NRC's decision not to correct deficiencies in the plan was based on substantial evidence gathered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that the deficiencies would soon be corrected and therefore was not arbitrary or capricious.

Counsel for Petitioner
Eric Ole Thorsen
238 Congers Rd., New City NY 10956
(914) 638-2726

Marc L. Parris, Cty. Attorney
New Hempstead Rd., New City NY 10956
(914) 425-5180

Counsel for Petitioners-Intervenors
Melvin L. Goldberg
9 Murray St., New York NY 10007
(212) 349-6460

Elleyn R. Weiss
Harmon & Weiss
1725 I St. NW, Washington DC 20006
(202) 833-9070

Counsel for Respondents
Peter G. Crane, E. Leo Slaggie, Michael B. Blume; Herzel H.E. Plaine, General Counsel
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 20555
(202) 634-1465

Albert M. Ferlo Jr.
Land and Natural Resources Division
Department of Justice, Washington DC 20530
(202) 633-2774

Counsel for Respondents-Intervenors
Richard F. Czaja, David H. Pikus, Denise Y. Turner
Shea & Gould
330 Madison Ave., New York NY 10017
(212) 370-8000

Brent L. Bradenburg, Ass't General Counsel; Patricia M. Fruehling
Consolidated Edison Co. of N.Y., 4 Irving Place, New York NY 10003
(212) 460-3383

Counsel for Amicus Curiae State of New York
Ezra I. Bialik, Steven D. Leipzig; Robert Abrams, Attorney General
Department of Law, Two World Trade Ctr., New York NY 10047
(212) 488-4141

Joined by Feinberg and Lumbard, JJ.