ML053530137

Letter from Congressman Fred Upton to Chairman Nils Diaz Pertaining to Palisades Nuclear Power Plant

ML053530137
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	04/26/2005
From:	Upton F US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Diaz N NRC/Chairman
AYALA, JUAN, NRR/DLR/RLRA, 415-4063
Shared Package
ML060100041	List: ML053530137 ML053530140
References
TAC MC6433
Download: ML053530137 (1)

Text

FRED UPTON PLEASEREPLYTO:

8THDISTRICT,MICHIGAN 0 2183 RAYBURN HOUSEOFFICE BUILDING WASHIrGTON, DC 20515-2206 ENERGY AND COMMERCE (2021 2263761 MEE157 SoT KALAMAZOO MALL CHAIRMAN, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND THE INTERNET SUBCOMMITTEE SUITE 160 KALAMAZOO, MI 49007 COMMERCE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SUBCOMMflTEE anti~~~ifli>7lii~ t~~ (269) 385-039 HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE t lt9 a 80CENTRLE SO SUITm 196 800 SHIPSTREET Woust of 3atpresettatibe2 VA ST. JOSEPH. MI 49085 (269) 982-1986 www.house.govIuplon CHIEFOF STAFF April 26, 2005 JOAN HILLEBRANDS The Honorable Nils Diaz. Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738

Dear Chairman Diaz:

I write to express my strong support for the license renewal application of the Palisades Nuclear Plant located in Covert TownshipX Michigan. The plant provides important economic benefits to my district - including providin g 600 jobs with a payroll of nearly $60 million; $6.3 million in taxes to the township; and enough electricity to meet the needs of a community of more than 500,000 residents.

Perhaps more importantly, the plant has an outstanding record of safety, reliability, and sound management. At present, the Nuclear Management Company (NMC) operates the Palisades plant for Consumers Energy. Since taking over the plant's operations from Consumers, NMC has maintained Palisades' excellent reputation for reliability and predictability. In 2004, Palisades established a plant record of 478 continuous days of operation.

The current Palisades operating license expires in March of 201 1. The approval of thei renewal application will extend the expiration date to March 203 1. The license renewal Will mean far more to the residents and businesses of southwest Michigan than continued access to safe, reliable, and efficient energy. It will also mean a great deal to them in terms of continued employment for those who operate and maintain the plant; continued tax revenues for local uLn its of government and tax sharing entities. such as community schools, district libraries and hospital authorities in the region; continued support for Emergency Management activities in the counties of Aflcgan, Berrien and Sitan Buren; anid continued emriplyee paychecks that bolster local economies.

I strongly urge the Commission to approve the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant re-licensing application to ensure continued reliable, safe and economic electricity to the residents of the state of Michigan, and to ensure the economic vitality of the citizens of southwest Michigan.

Sincerely, iCpton Member of Congress