ML022270372
| ML022270372 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Peach Bottom  |
| Issue date: | 07/31/2002 |
| From: | Berryhill F - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | NRC/NRR/DRIP/RLEP |
| Wheeler LL, NRR/DRIP/RLEP, 415-1444 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML022310317 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML022270372 (3) | |
Text
Statement to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission In the matter of Exelon Corporation's Application To extend Operating License for another 20 years.
July 31, 2002 Gentlemen:
Peach Bottom, at this time,is one of seven nuclear power plants with active relicensing applications, with more in preparation.
The others are Edwin E Hatch near Savannah GA, Turkey Point near Miami FL, Surry near Williamsburg VA, North Anne near Richmond VA, Catawba near Charlotte NC, and McGuire near Charlotte, NC.
Four plants have been licensed so far, and there is no indication that any statements in opposition to this dangerous practice has had any affect on the decision to relicense. As a matter of fact, not having any new nuclear power plants to work with the NRC's willingness to keep their "jobs" going, with the same disregard for safety concerns by opponents is quite clear.
Most licenses do not expire for another 15 to 20 years, Why now?
To amortize plant debi#irther into the future1 therefore padding corporate revenues today. The NRC knows well that some of these old, worn, dilapidated plants, originally licensed for only 30 years for a good reason will never see the end of this extension.
We know it, the NRC knows it, its done with "smoke and mirrors" so easily detectable if one follows the Money.
To make my point.
Cracks and leak and embrittlement of Material in aging plants is well known by the NRC. Nozzle cracking in pressurized water reactors started in the late 1980's. Only two months after Oconee was given the 20 year extension the nozzle cracks were discovered.. And again, after extension, at Entergy's Nuclear-One.
Two other plants, currently going though licensing process were the cracks were found are North Anna and Surry. *4*ea On March 7,2002 FirstEnergy's Davis Besse nuclear power plant in Ohio experienced a problem which should alert the NRC to immediately halt all re-newels. Boric acid corroded a 6 inch hole in the reactor vessel, leaving only a 3/8 inch metal cladding as protection against a reactor breach, The consequences could have been devastating.
I am certain you will not permit me to list here all the "close shaves" mishaps and the sloppiness with which this industry operates.
Stupid mistakes are a regularity At the General Electric's Trojan Station a control room operator was listening to a baseball game while radioactive water was overflowing from a tank and flooding the adjacent building.
July 26, at Susquehanna a dry fuel storage cask had accidentally been filled with argon/helium gas in place of the correct 100%
helium gas. Nobody knows what the effects are in the storage system.
Finally I would like to direct the NRC's attention to the International situation concerning nuclear power in general.
The French nuclear power program and Framatome have been held up as a marvel. But the chickens are coming home to rust.
With an original price tag of $4.3 BILLION the Superphenix ran for a total of 30 months over the dozen years since it went into operation. And the worldslargest fast-breeder reactor is now closed for good.
By the way the breeder reactor in Japan fared no better. After a serious accident the investigating general manager committed suicide.
We are finally beginning to look into the Nuclear Industry's claim as to the actual contribution to the nations energy pool. The production of nuclear power is extremely energy intensive. The energy consumed by future needs such as shipping 77.000 ton of nuclear waste all over the country with much more being produced does not even figure into the calculations yet.
After a trillion-dollar taxpayer investment it delivers little more energy than wood. Globally it produces less energy than renewables.
In the 1990's global nuclear capacity rose by 1% a year vs. 17%
for solar cells (24% last year) and 24% for wind power. Last year California added more decentralized megawatts than its 2 giant nuclear plants Does anybody really want these plants? Over the last few years Utilities have been trying to sell them. Main Yankee even created a web page complete with color photographs to promote the sale.
There were no takers, the plant was "retired" When will this country find its sanity. What are we doing to this planet. Plutonium is radioactive for 250.000 years some elements like iodine and Technetium wont decay for millions years.
Its time to stop Frieda Berryhill 2610 Grendon Dr.
Wilmington, DE 10808 Frieda302,,,comcast.net Tel # 302 994 1342