Two days after receiving a celebrity stamp of approval, Entergy announced Wednesday it expects the new Indian Point siren system operational by mid-August.

Paul Newman toured the nuclear facility Monday and boasted about the security measures there. Newman said he doesn't have ties to the company, but wants to raise awareness about nuclear energy.

Entergy spokesman Larry Gottlieb said the sirens should be operational by mid-August. "We take full responsibility that we missed the original deadline," Gottlieb said. "When you try and take a big leap in technology there can be challenges along the way."

Nonetheless, residents and Westchester County Executive Andy Spano are upset Entergy missed two federal deadlines for the new sirens. The company paid a $130,000 fine for missing January and April deadlines.

Spano said the county should receive the money because its residents are most affected by a dysfunctional emergency response system, but federal officials have not responded to his request. Spano has also called for the plant to be shut down.