ML071650059
| ML071650059 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 05/31/2007 |
| From: | Hassler C - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| 50-219-LR, RAS 13767 | |
| Download: ML071650059 (2) | |
Text
TM5 137L-7 Submitted remarks of DOCKETED USNRC Charles Hassler Business Agent, Local 94 June 13, 2007 (11:1Oam) as OFFICE OF SECRETARY Testimony at the ASLB Hearing RULEMAKINGS AND held ADJUDICATIONS STAFF May 31, 2007 Docket No. 50-219-LR at The Ocean County Administration Building 101 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753 Good Afternoon:
I'm here today, as a representative of IBEW Local 94, to offer remarks in support of the re-licensing of the Oyster Creek Generating Station, a dean, safe, reliable and critical component of the New Jersey electric energy manufacturing family.
My name is Charlie Hassler, and I am the Business Agent for Local 94 in Hightstown, NJ. Prior to assuming my current responsibilities I spent more than 2 decades working the nuclear energy industry. Additionally, I am also a member of the New Jersey IBEW, the umbrella organization representing the 23 New Jersey IBEW Locals with more then 35,000 members. The NJIBEW too, is on the record as supporting the re-licensing of the Oyster Greek Generating Station.
Our support is based upon our understanding of the findings of the NRC during the re-licensing effort. It is an informed, rational support and comes only with our belief that the safety of our members and the public at large will be assured by the continued operation of this plant.
OCGS has operated at 95 to 98% of capacity and has done so admirably. Any issues that have been uncovered during the re-licensing process have been openly and promptly addressed by the operator and then corrected to a standard that meets or exceeds the NRC requirements.
What other industry has improved the standards and operating capacity the way it has been done in the nuclear? This is truly the most watched from the outside and scrutinized from within. The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and NUMARC do more internal evaluation than groups from any other industry. This is an industry where if you are not bumping the top quartile in performance you better have a plan ready or you are in trouble. It is the only industry that I know of that has to do Te_:-,6cV-3e 5eCy-0
a voluntary shutdown before the keys are taken away and you don't get them back.
The output from Oyster Creek represents approximately 9% of New Jersey's electricity consumption needs, producing that electricity without the creation of greenhouse gases, an important and critical component to this discussion given the global warming situation. In fact, along with its sister reactors at Salem and Hope Creek, these workhorses produce approximately 52% of New Jersey's electrical needs. Without this output from Oyster Creek, the reliability of the electric delivery to meet the demand would be put at risk.
Next, America's reliance on foreign energy imports continues to stress our economy costing American jobs and putting the middle class itself at risk. A sound energy policy is in our nation's best interest and nuclear energy has an important role to play in that policy.
Finally, we must all recognize that a license renewal does not come open ended or without ongoing monitoring. Safety and performance standards, just as they are today, will continue for the entirety of the time that the plant operates. If the plant fails below acceptable standards, I and my members will be among the first to speak out, and if ever a major safety issue arises in the future, we can all rest assured that the NRC has the ultimate power to come in, take away the keys, shut the doors and close the plant down.
Thank you.
Charles Hassler Business Agent IBEW Local 94 Ph#609-426-9702 Fax# 609-426-9709