ML102660331
| ML102660331 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 09/20/2010 |
| From: | Port A R City of Newburyport, MA, Office of Planning & Development |
| To: | Susco J J Division of License Renewal |
| References | |
| 75FR42168 00007, NRC-2010-0206 | |
| Download: ML102660331 (2) | |
Text
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT OFFICE OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 60 PLEASANT STREET ° P.O. Box 550 NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950 (978) 465-4400 (978) 465-4452 (FAX)September 2Otb, 2010. T./,.---..... 5:t '7 fc_.." -' T--M?Mr. Jeremrj Susc M---o ner-nvironmentl Division of License Renewal 'Office of Nuclear Reactor Re6ulation Nuclear Re6ulator1 Commission Waslin~ton, D.C 20555 (Submitted via: ww'.regulationsgov)(Emailed to: jeremy.susco@nrcgov)(Emailed to: ricmhardplasse@nrc.gov)
Re: Environmental Scopin6 Review -Preliminary Comments -Nextera _Ener6lJ SeabIrook LLC Application for Operatin6 License No. NPF-86 Renewal Docket No. 50-443 & NRC-2010-0206
Dear Mr. Susco:
- Thank ijou for the opportunity to comment on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Environmental Scoping Review regarding the Application lor an Operatin6 License Extension for the Seabrook No. 1 Unit from yjear 2030 to yjear 2050.It is our understandin8 that the scope of this initial review is to determine what environmental and safetty issues will be the subject of a supplementto your boilerplate "Generic Environmental Impact Statement" (GEIS) which is hjpical for licenses and renewals on all Nuclear Power Plants. It is our understanding that these GEIS and supplemental environmental and safety issues will be analyzed in greater depth over the next year and a half, prior to grantin6 a License Renewal for Nextera Energy Seabrook LLC for their operation of the Seabrook No. 1 Unit from year c2030 to yjear 2050.'While we understand that safety considerations were taken into account for the Seabrook No. 1 Unit durin6 the initial licensing process in 1999, and that the plant has been operational without major incident for the first twenty (20) yjears, we believe that substantial public benefits should be associated with a potentiallj premature "renewal" to the current license which will not presently expire for another twentyj (20) years. If the NRC is expected to extend the license commitment until 2050, several decades into the future, mitigation for this private benefit (and public risk) should be prod.ided with some additional consideration for risk assessment and emer6ency evacuation capabilities within the potentialltj impacted communities.
Newbury port, MA falls within ten (10) miles of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant.While it mayj not be usual practice for the NRC to consider emergency evacuation plannin6 and miti6ation for a license renewal extension, this would be a mistake for both the Nuclear Regulatortj Commission and the nation.0, 5 C-<D Environmental Scopin6 Review -Prelimindry Comments -Nextera Energy Seabrook LLC September 20O, 2010 Pa6e 2 of 2 It is in both the national and regional interest that the scope of review for this re-licensing application be broader than is the usual scope for a re-licensin6 application.
The Nuclear Regulatorty Commission has an opportunity to improve the emergency evacuation capabilities for Seabrook Station and the potentiallh impacted communities, includin6 Newburyport, MA.The following relevant comments were previously submitted b]y Newburyport resident William Harris: "When Seabrook Station No. 1 was licensed the primary risks were of an accidental nature. Evidence from the 9/11 Commission and other official sources indicate that Seabrook is now primarily at risk from intentional attack bly malevolent adversaries.
This energy facility is situated near a major population center and summer-sur6ing beach traffic; it is accessible from low flying aircraft passing over the Atlantic Ocean; it is now less well protected byg Air Defense capabilities following closure of Pease Air Force Base nearbdy; and it has a containment system designed before the era of terrorist hijackings of wide bodied jets. These are fundamental changes of circumstances and assumptions since this plant was licensed in year 1990." The NRC should utilize this opportunity to improve (at relatively low cost) the planning, modeling, regional sensor network, and evacuation planning for Seabrook-related emergencies.
In return for granting such a large extension to the current license term, Nextera Energty Seabrook LLC should be required to assure that, if a radiation release occurs, (whether by accident or b]y terrorist attack) loss of life, harm to public health and safety are minimized.
In order to provide for coordinated evacuations in the event of a Seabrook-related emergency, we request that the NRC require the followin8 mitigation, within the Seabrook region, as essential elements of review under the GElS supplement:
- 1. Design and installation of plume modelin8 stystems linked to near-real-time meteorological data;2. Design and installation of software overrides within existing traffic signalization
&" traffic synchronization systems for key evacuation arteries (such signal-synchronization software could provide the added on6oin6 benefit of reducin6 vehicle congestion stops, fuel usage, air pollution, and economic losses due to regional transportation congestion);
- 3. Modelin and preparations (installation of signage, signalization, control systems, etc.) for "contraflow" traffic designs based on lessons learned from hurricane evacuations across interstate highway systems;4. Installation of backup batteries or renewable signal systems, designed for operability ldurin8 electric 8rid outages; and 5. Funding for regional emergency preparedness coordination amon8 municipal, transportation, law enforcement and emergency response entities.Again, thank you for the opportunity to comment on this application for license extension.
We look forward to working with the applicant (Nextera Energy Seabrook LLC) and the NRC to ensure that continued operation of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant will be beneficial and responsible to the region as well as Nextera. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (978) 465-4400 x 223 if you have anty questions regarding our comments.Very truly yours, Andrew R. Port, AICP DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CC Donna D. Holaciay, Mayor William R. Harris, Newbturyporz§, MA 01950 (williarnrAarris@yaAoacom)(wm.r.Aarris@6maiicomr)