Hudson Valley Debate Union
The Indian Point Debate, 30 March 2009
Oxford-style debate format extended into 2009 as "The Indian Point Debate" was held at Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library on Monday 30 March.
Taking the floor in favor of the motion, "This House urges the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the license renewal application for Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units Nos. 2 and 3" were Marilyn Elie of the Westchester Citizens Awareness Network, attorney Susan Shapiro of Public Health and Sustainable Energy (PHASE) and the Board of Directors of the sloop "Clearwater," and Mark Jacobs of the Indian Point Safe Energy Council.
Standing in opposition to them were John Kelly, formerly with Entergy Nuclear Northeast and a certified health physicist, Diane Holland of the Clarkstown Republican Committee, and William Tucker, author of the book Terrestrial Energy
The audience of about fifty was lively and peppered both sides with Points of Information.
And there was a first for an HVDU debate -- videographers on scene! Thank you for coming! If clips get posted onto YouTube or some other video sharing site, they are going to be linked here.
After the question was called, the volunteer tellers ably collected the voting chips from Voting Guests, and declared the motion had passed, 35 votes for to 13 against.
Some images from The Indian Point Debate, 30 March 2009
King's Daughters Library Community Room -- the quiet before the storm
HVDU moderator Patrick McGrath briefs the Voting Guests before the start of the debate.
Marilyn Elie of the Westchester Citizens Awareness Network leads for the proposition while others attempt Points of Information
Author William Tucker (Terrestrial Energy) leads for the opposition
The fifty or so in the audience made frequent Points of Information
A first for the HVDU -- video on scene! There may be some YouTube on this, we'll let you know when it's available.
Attorney Susan Shapiro of Public Health and Sustainable Energy and with the Board of Directors of the Sloop "Clearwater"
Diane Holland of the Clarkstown Republican Committee
Mark Jacobs of the Indian Point Safe Energy Council
John Kelly, certified health physicist and director of licensing (retired) for Entergy Nuclear Northeast
The tellers count the green (yes) and red (no) voting chips
After the proposition passed, 35-13, Voting Guests continued the discussion -- until the Library said we had to go home!