ML12261A157
| ML12261A157 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 09/13/2012 |
| From: | Mcquain J - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | NRC/SECY/RAS |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| 50-247-LR, 50-286-LR, ASLBP 07-858-03-LR-BD01, RAS E-1021 | |
| Download: ML12261A157 (2) | |
Text
Docket, Hearing iA-A E-fO,='(
From:
Jmprmedia@aol.com Sent:
Thursday, September 13, 2012 11:31 AM To:
Docket, Hearing DOCKETED Cc:
Siarnacki, Anne USNRC
Subject:
DENY Entergy's license extension at Indian Point September 13, 2012 (11:31 a.m.)
September 13, 2012 OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND Office of the Secretary, Rulemakings and Adjudications ADJUDICATIONS STAFF Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001 Fax: (301) 415-1101 Email: hearing.docket(,,nrc..ov.
I am writing to urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to deny Entergy's application for a 20-year license extension for the two operating nuclear reactors, IP-2 and IP-3, at Indian Point Energy Facility in Buchanan, NY.
I drive those roads. I take the train past this facility--practically holding my breath with anxiety! There is NO WAY the population could be evacuated in the event of an accident. With the new information about fault lines near this facility, that were not known about nor designed for, the NRC MUST let this aged, leaking dangerous plant's licenses EXPIRE, AS THEY SHOULD!
Indian Point is located in the most densely populated region of the country and identified as one of the most dangerous nuclear plants in the nation, according to YOU, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) itself. Over the years we have witnessed serious nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, and most recently at Fukushima. In August 2011, NY experienced an earthquake, Hurricane Irene, and a tornado all in one week. It is no longer prudent to believe that "It can't happen here."
There are many factors that make Indian Point's relicensing flawed, and make denying it imperative, including:
Evacuation is Impossible: Even if the possibility of an earthquake, a terrorist attack, or a fuel pool fire or other accident at Indian Point is remote, the consequences of a serious problem at Indian Pont would be devastating. Approximately 20 million people live or work within 50 miles of Indian Point and there is no evacuation plan for New York City. Within minutes of an accident or incident at Indian Point, gridlock would occur making evacuation impossible. WHY WOULDN'T a terrorist attack choose this plant to hit?
A History of Serious Problems: The plant has a history of multiple transformer explosions, a major steam pipe rupture, clogged cooling system intakes, repeated siren failures - and is a sitting target for terrorism.
Health and Environmental Impacts: Studies have shown increased rates of cancer and other illnesses related to exposure from planned and unplanned releases of radioactivity. Indian Point's once-through cooling system uses 2.5 billion gallons of water a day from the Hudson River, seriously impacting a still declining fish population.
With GREAT EFFORT, New Yorkers are finally serious about bringing the mighty, historic, BEAUTIFUL Hudson River back to health. We should not have to subsidize this plant's corporate owners as they continue to hamper NY taxpayers in that task!
Dangerously Over-Crowded Fuel Pools: The plant's spent fuel is highly radioactive and contains about three times the radioactivity as Fukushima's spent fuel pools. Spent fuel assemblies are densely packed into severely over-crowded fuel pools that are housed in totally unprotected metal storage buildings and are leaking radioactivity into the Hudson River.
On-Site Waste Storage: When the plant was first licensed, it was widely believed that the federal government would open a national waste depository at Yucca Mountain. That option is no longer under consideration and there is no other repository on the horizon. Indian Point is now storing 1,500 tons of highly-radioactive spent nuclear waste on-site, and would add an additional 1,000 tons if the plant is relicensed for another 20 years.
Replacement Energy is Readily Available: Nuclear power is being replaced by energy efficiency and renewables, repowering and improved storage and transmission capability. Governor Cuomo's Energy Highway is currently addressing 1'
ways to bring excess power, including 4,000 megawatts of wind in the western part of the State, to the greater NY metropolitan area. In January 2012, the NYS Assembly Committee on Energy concluded that there is more than enough power to allow Indian Point to close without overburdening ratepayers or threatening reliability standards.
To relicense Indian Point in its present location and condition defies logic. To do so is playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with our lives and future, when safer, cleaner alternatives are immediately available.
Thank you for considering these comments.
Sincerely, Julie McQuain 151 First Avenue, # 215 NY NY 10003 cc: Administrative Judge Lawrence G. McDade c/o Anne Siarnacki, Law Clerk Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, Mail Stop T-3F23 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001 Fax: (301) 415-5599 Email: anne.siarnacki(onrc.gov 2