"Following the horrific terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, the safety of our nuclear power plants has been a heightened concern for all New Yorkers," Pataki said in a statement.

"While we have asked the federal government to review the standards for these safety plans in light of the new threats we face, it is clear that we must move forward on our own to ensure our residents are protected," Pataki added.

The governor emphasized "safety must be our top priority" and said "we cannot wait for the federal government to act."

Witt will review all local emergency preparedness and evacuation plans beginning with Indian Point, which is located about 35 miles north of New York City on the shores of the Hudson River in the town of Buchanan.

In addition to Indian Point, there are three nuclear plants located on Lake Ontario -- Nine Mile Point and Fitzpatrick in the town of Scriba and Ginna in the town of Ontario.

"My team and I plan to listen to the concerns of the communities and make recommendations that will allow Governor Pataki to further protect and improve the sustainability of New York's communities and economy," said Witt, president of emergency planning consultant firm James Lee Witt Associates LLC.

POST SEPT. 11

In light of heightened public concerns following the Sept. 11 attacks, Pataki asked the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and FEMA to review the federal standards for emergency plans at the nuclear plants in February.

In May, the federal agencies told the governor the current planning standards now in place for both facilities and off-site community preparedness did not require any revision.

Last month, the governor again asked for a federal review, while deciding to move ahead with an independent review at the state level.

Witt will start the review at Indian Point and the Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford, Connecticut, as it affects Fishers' Island, New York, in Long Island Sound.

The price for the first phase of the contract is not to exceed $800,554.

The second phase of the review will focus on Nine Mile Point, FitzPatrick and Ginna at a cost of $122,475.

The final report is due in July 2003.

Entergy Corp. ((ETR.N)) of New Orleans owns Indian Point and Fitzpatrick.

Constellation Energy Group Inc. ((CEG.N)) of Baltimore owns Unit 1 at Nine Mile Point and 82 percent of Unit 2. The state-owned Long Island Power Authority owns the remaining 18 percent of Nine Mile 2.

The Rochester Gas and Electric unit of Energy East Corp. ((EAS.N)) of Albany, New York, owns Ginna.

Dominion Resources Inc. ((D.N)) of Richmond, Virginia, owns Unit 2 at Millstone and 93 percent of Unit 3. The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. and Central Vermont Public Service Corp. ((CV.N)) own the rest of Unit 3. Unit 1 was retired in 1998.