ML11175A354

2011/06/21-Comment (32) of Edwin Bergmann in Support of Petition for Rulemaking PRM-50-96, Regarding NRC Amends Its Regulations Regarding the Domestic Licensing of Special Material

ML11175A354
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	06/21/2011
From:	Bergmann E - No Known Affiliation
To:	NRC/SECY/RAS
SECY RAS
References
76FR26223 00032, NRC-2011-0069, PRM-50-96
Download: ML11175A354 (1)

Text

PRM-50-96 DOCKETED Rulemaking Comments (76FR26223)

USNRC From: Edwin Bergmann [edwinbnyc@yahoo.com]

June 23, 2011 (4:40 pm)Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:20 PM OFFICE OF SECRETARY To: Rulemaking Comments RULEMAKINGS AND

Subject:

Comment in support of PRM-50-96 NRC-2011-0069 ADJUDICATIONS STAFF

Dear Secretary,

As a New Yorker who resides within about 40 miles of the Indian Point nuclear electric power generation plant, I am writing in support of PRM 50-96 (NRC-2011-0069) submitted by Thomas Popik and the Foundation for Resilient Societies.

This very prescient petition for rulemaking would require utilities to install reliable and renewable backup power systems, for a period of up to two years, to ensure cooling of irradiated fuel pools in the event of an extended loss of offsite power.The Fukushima catastrophe demonstrates clearly the consequences of a loss of offsite power--to fuel pools and nuclear reactors alike. The NRC obviously must take substantive and speedy steps to address this issue.The typical nuclear facility includes battery backup power that would last 4-8 hours, plus emergency diesel generators.

While these generators were inoperable at Fukushima, and the accidents there took place in a relatively short amount of time, these generators are not designed to operate for extended periods of time.PRM 50-96 was spawned by concern over large-scale solar flares that could cause long power outages in the U.S. As the Washington Post reported on June 21, 2011, a 2008 National Academy of Sciences study warned that a major solar storm "could knock out power in parts of the northeastern and northwestern United States for months, even years." No U.S. nuclear reactor or fuel pool could withstand such a lengthy loss of power. Immense radiation releases would be certain.Given the events at Fukushima, it appears nuclear facilities are not able to withstand power outages for even a fraction of that time. Thus, there is considerable urgency to improving back-up power systems.I urge the NRC to quickly approve PRM 50-96 and to amend this petition to include suitable back-up power supplies for all nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities as well as the irradiated fuel pools.Thank you, Edwin Bergmann 638 East 79th Street Brooklyn, NY 11236-3310 TEMPLATE = SECY-067 DS 10