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CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. A group of six Ukrainian environmentalists from private and public organizations is touring Westchester as part of the Open World Leadership Center, a Eurasian exchange program initiated by the Library of Congress. The Cortlandt Rotary Club organized visits to Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants in Buchanan, Peekskills RESCO waste-to-energy facility and meetings with area environmentalists and politicians.
Definitely the U.S. society is more environmentally educated. What we want to do is see the experience and implement it in our society, said Marianna Petrova, an associate professor at Lviv State University for Life Safety in Lviv, Ukraine.
The program began in 1999, after being initiated by then Librarian of Congress and Russia expert James Billington. The programs focus is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to Americas democratic, accountable government and its free-market system, according to the mission statement of the Open World website.
We want to learn about the experience of Rotary Clubs in America and pick up these things we can do to improve the life around us, said Olena Rynazhevska, president of the Lviv-Zamok Rotary Chapter in Ukraine.
Much of the group's focus appeared to be on how the environmental effects of hazardous materials is mitigated.
Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants was a topic of interest for the group, more than one of whom said many plants in Ukraine operated four or more reactors on one site. Indian Point has two reactors.
All of the stations are quite big, said Petrova. They proclaim that all of the stations are very safe, but maybe our safe is not your safe.
In addition to touring industrial energy and waste facilities, the group will speak with representatives from Riverkeeper, Assembly member Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) and will meet with County Executive Rob Astorino.
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