ML070660501
| ML070660501 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/27/2007 |
| From: | Kerry J US SEN (Senate) |
| To: | Reyes L NRC/EDO, Office of Public Affairs |
| Shared Package | |
| ML070740259 | List: |
| References | |
| G20070155 | |
| Download: ML070660501 (4) | |
Text
EDO Principal Correspondence Control al.
FROM:
DUE: 03/28/07 EDO CONTROL: G20070155 DOC DT: 02/27/07 FINAL REPLY:
Senator John F. Kerry TO:
- Reyes, EDO FOR SIGNATURE OF
DESC:
ROUTING:
Vermont Yankee (Karen Scott)
Reyes Virgilio Kane Silber Johnson Cyr/Burns Zimmerman, NSIR
- Schmidt, OCA
- Shoop, OEDO Taylor, OEDO Sosa, OEDO DATE: 03/07/07 ASSIGNED TO:
NRR CONTACT:
Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
Coordinate response with NSIR.
C-pFoue E§bO -W
~ŽO~D
JOHN KERRY MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEES:
COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION FINANCE FOREIGN RELATIONS SMALL BUSINESS
'WAnitHd INtatOs 210-2at0 WASHINGTON, DC 20510-2102 One Bowdoin Square Tenth Floor Boston, MA 02114 (617) 565-8519 February 27, 2007 Mr. Luis A. Reyes U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
Washington, D.C. 20555
Dear Mr. Reyes,
I am forwarding to you a copy of a correspondence from Karen Scott regarding her concerns about the Vernon nuclear reactor.
It is the desire of this office to be responsive to all inquiries and communications.
I respectfully ask for your assistance in resolving the issues outlined in the attached correspondence.
In addition to sending a response to Dr. Scott's correspondence, I respectfully ask that you please convey a copy of your letter to Roger Fisk of my Boston office.
I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Enclosed:
Dr. Scott's letter JFK/rf.
f0 PRIN http:ED E.CtC.g.D/-kPA ryE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER EDO -- G2007015 5
January 19, 2007 Z20 IFEB -2 PM 3:36
Dear Senator Kerry,
I live in Greenfield Massachusetts with my husband and our two children, ages 3 and 1. I am extremely concerned about the Vernon nuclear reactor just over the Vermont border, less than 20 miles from our house. We have received no believable assurances of safety about this aging reactor. As the power output was increased last year, the increase had to be placed on hold at least twice due to concerning noises and vibrations detected in the reactor. Despite this, no independent inspection was held; rather, as far as I can tell from what was reported in the newspaper, a revised mathematical analysis was performed, after which time the reactor and its increased power output were declared "safe" and the.uprate proceeded as scheduled. The company which owns this reactor, Entergy, has petitioned for an extension of its license for 20 more years beyond the current expiration date of -2012, and has also recently petitioned for permission to increase its impact on the temperature of the water in the Connecticut River which it uses for reactor cooling. Having lived in New Orleans where Entergy was my power supplier has not caused me to feel warm and trusting towards this company. Likewise, the fact that Entergy is based in Louisiana does not lead me to feel that they are particularly concerned about the health of adults, children, wildlife, or the ecosystem in our little region.
I have several concerns about this reactor which I would like you to address. First, I would like to know what you are doing in the Senate to represent our concerns here in Western Massachusetts with regard to this issue. I know of no local residents who are comfortable with this reactor. We all want it shut down. It endangers our lives and our health. Yet we have no voice. Please advocate for us in our efforts to revoke the license of this old and dangerous nuclear reactor. Please use every means at your disposal to BLOCK THE EXTENSION OF THE REACTOR'S LICENSE.. Please let me know what you are doing with regard to this issue.
Secondly, I am very concerned about the lack of any publicized evacuation plan in the event of a radiation leak, or worse. Like all Americans, I watched aghast as FEMA allowed the residents of New Orleans to die stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I have no reason to believe their response would be any more prompt or effective in the event of a meltdown at the Vernon reactor, where evacuation timing would be even more urgent. I have not received in the mail or seen in the paper any evacuation plans. I would like to know the details of the evacuation plan for my town, and the means by which I could expect to be notified of any emergency involving the reactor.
Thank you very much for your advocacy and your prompt response.
Sincerely, K are n M s co tt M D 50 James Street Greenfield MA 01301
Ulnited 01tates 016efate WASHINGTON, DC 20510-2102 OFFICIAL BUSINESS
/
AA-S Mr. Luis A. Reyes
,U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Q Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
Washington, D.C. 20555