Indian Point Independent Safety Evaluation Panel Announces Final Two Members

BUCHANAN, N.Y., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The co-Chairs of the panel conducting the Independent Safety Evaluation (ISE) of the Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) today announced the panel's final two members. When the panel was announced on March 19, the co-Chairs, Dr. James Rhodes, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, and Dr. Neil Todreas of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that they were in the process of selecting two additional members to round out the full panel of 12 experts in nuclear safety, security, emergency management and public policy. The complete panel features respected professionals with more than 400 years of experience.

"Now that we have formally completed the membership of the panel, we are ready to begin the serious work of taking a thorough look at the operation of Indian Point," said Dr. Todreas. "These last two members, as well as the administrative support we've set up to maintain our independence from the plant's owner, share the same commitment to professionalism and personal integrity as the panel already in place."

The final additions are T. Gary Broughton, former Chief Executive Officer of GPU Nuclear, and Clayton "Scotty" Hinnant, former Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) for Progress Energy. Both bring to the panel considerable experience and a reputation for independent and thorough knowledge of the issues in the nuclear power industry.

"We are fortunate to add to our team the professional excellence and judgment of both Gary and Scotty," said Dr. Rhodes. "I am confident that at the end of our evaluation, our team will produce a report that will thoroughly and accurately describe the safety, security and emergency management of Indian Point."

A 10-year U.S. Naval Officer, Mr. Broughton's utility career was largely devoted to General Public Utilities (GPU), where he was instrumental in diagnosing the issues that led to the Three Mile Island (TMI) Unit 2 accident, implementing the technical changes necessary for the restart of TMI Unit-1 and achieving a performance level that is today one of the best in the nation. He works on a pro bono basis for AARP, helping low and moderate income people prepare their tax returns as well as training other volunteers.

With nearly 40 years of nuclear power experience, Mr. Hinnant has motivated and led diverse teams of nuclear professionals in the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants, ultimately serving for nine years as CNO for Progress Energy's fleet of five nuclear power units. His focus throughout his career has been on performance improvement in all facets of nuclear power plant operations.

Along with the final members of the panel, the co-Chairs also announced the establishment of some necessary administrative support that will make the panel's work more efficient over the coming months and enable it to maintain its independence.

Robert L. Hickok of the Philadelphia-based law firm Pepper Hamilton LLP will serve as legal counsel to the ISE. Mr. Hickok is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department of Pepper Hamilton LLP. He is a member of Pepper's Executive Committee and serves as the firm's chief strategy officer. His practice focuses on corporate governance, securities and anti- trust law. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Two executives with strong nuclear energy experience, John DeVine, Jr. and Thomas M. Crimmins, both with Polestar Applied Technology, Inc., will provide staff support to the panel.

Mr. DeVine, a co-founder of Polestar, has assessed operational and managerial effectiveness at nuclear power plants in the U.S. and has led independent assessment teams for government spent fuel management and deactivation and decommissioning of government facilities. Before forming Polestar in 1992, Mr. DeVine held a series of senior leadership positions at GPU.

A former CEO of BNFL, Inc., Mr. Crimmins has had extensive experience in all facets of nuclear power. He served as plant manager and chief engineer for the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant and vice president of nuclear engineering for Public Service Electric and Gas.

"The professional capabilities of the support team assisting the ISE are just as important as the expertise and personal integrity of the panel itself," said Dr. Todreas. "In order to make sure we conduct an evaluation that is both thorough and open to observation by public officials, we need the kind of support that our administrative team will provide."

The full ISE panel will meet for the first time later this week to establish the criteria for its evaluation and the process for examining operations at Indian Point.

For more information about the Independent Safety Evaluation Panel, contact the Panel at 202-463-8801 or by email at safety@nyindianpoint.org.