County Executive Andy Spano expressed outrage and stunned disbelief upon learning today that both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Con Edison knew about a faulty pipe in the steam generator at Indian Point 2 but did nothing about it. He immediately set up a meeting with Eugene R. McGrath, chairman, president and CEO of Con Edison, to discuss the issue. He has also asked U. S. Sens, Charles Schumer and Daniel P. Moynihan to set up a meeting with the NRC.

" What is going on here? We rely on the NRC to oversee safety issues at our plants and they have shown a distinctly cavalier attitude with regard to public protection," said Spano. "Knowing that the pipe had a problem, they still allowed Con Edison to extend the time period for an investigation. Both Con Edison and the NRC have broken the public trust. This is not some little thing. We are talking about life and death safety issues here."

What concerns Spano and the other County Executives even more, is that the NRC is the only outside agency to review safety issues on the sale of the Indian Point plants. With regard to the upcoming sale of the reactor owned by the New York Power Authority, Spano has previously stated his concern that the NRC would perfunctorily approve the sale as simply a transfer of ownership between NYPA and Entergy. Now, he said, his worst fears have been realized.

In a letter sent by Spano, on behalf of County Executives Bondi, Rampe, Vanderhoef and himself, Spano said that in light of the NRC's recent actions, there were "grave concerns over the NRC's ability to oversee the safety issues as they relate to the sale of the plants." The County Executives questioned both the NRC's attitude and their competence is evaluating the sale. They also said that no sale of the plants should go forward "unless and until we are satisfied with the NRC's oversight ability."

Spano, who is visiting emergency operations facilities in Los Angeles and reviewing their procedures, has been in constant communication with his office and staff on this issue.