BUCHANAN – As Entergy continues in the process of seeking license renewals for its Indian Point 2 and 3 nuclear power plants in Buchanan, company officials Wednesday announced they would start a fully independent examination of safety, security and emergency preparedness at the plants.

Entergy’s announcement drew quick criticism from some lawmakers, and the environmental group Riverkeeper.

The study will be conducted by an independent panel of experts that would be independent of relationships with Entergy so as not to compromise their judgment, company officials said.

Entergy spokesman James Steets said they want to put the community’s mind at ease with the evaluation.  “There had been concerns expressed about the operation of the plant and we have had some issues, though relatively minor, which have brought to mind for some people whether the plants are safe or not. Of course, we believe they are and the NRC has done inspections that clearly have shown that the plants are safe, but we thought we would go the extra step in having an independent assessment done,” he said.

Skepticism about the true independence of an assessment paid for by Entergy came from House Members Eliot Engel and John Hall, as well as the anti-Indian Point group Riverkeeper.

“Considering the poor track record at Indian Point, the appointment of a panel to review the safety of the facility is long overdue,” said Engel.

“An independent safety assessment is not an assessment contracted and paid for by the company needing an assessment”, said Riverkeeper, in its statement.