I am Edna Sussman, the executive Director of Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Inc. FCWC is a not-for-profit coalition that was founded 36 years ago to enable the many environmental organizations in the county to speak with a unified voice on matters of regional concern. Over 55 Westchester organizations are currently members of FCWC.

I feel like I am here tonight to state the obvious. The signal primary responsibility of this legislative body and the other branches of Westchester County government is to protect the public health and public safety of the people of Westchester. In the face of what we now know, that responsibility can only be fulfilled by passing the resolution before us tonight. All of you have read the Witt report on the evacuation plan commissioned by Governor Pataki and are familiar with what it says. It bears repetition.

The report concludes that "the current radiological response system and capabilities are not adequate to protect the people from an unacceptable dose of radiation in the event of a release from Indian Point." The report lists the many inadequacies in the plan and compels a result here tonight that protects against the risks posed by Indian Point. The people of this county deserve no less from their representatives.

I have heard some concern expressed about the impact of a shut down of Indian Point on the price of energy. What value do low prices for energy have against the possibility of exposure to radiation making us ill, our homes becoming uninhabitable, our children being sickened. The answer to this is also obvious- it has no value.

Based on the available information it appears that the price impact is, in any case, not so significant. At public hearings before the City Council in New York City last year, Entergy itself testified that a shut down of Indian Point would result in an increase in prices of energy of 5-8% on an annualized basis. On an electricity bill of $100 a month this would amount to $5-8 monthly. I ask you, is that not a price worth paying to protect ourselves, our children and our neighborhoods. The people of this county do not have the option of making this choice for themselves- they look to you to for leadership and protection.

We know this Honorable Board does not have the legal power to shut down Indian Point. But this Board does have the power to deliver a strong message to Washington on behalf of the people of Westchester that they we will not tolerate further exposure to the enormous risk posed by Indian Point and the current evacuation plan. This Board passed a resolution a few months ago calling for the decommissioning of the Indian Point plants at the earliest possible date. The Witt report compels the more immediate action called for in the resolution- the immediate "shut down of Indian Point until such time as it can be demonstrated that the emergency evacuation plan can achieve its goals of protecting public health and ensuring public safety." We call on each of you to vote to protect the health and safety of your constituents.