ML15037A386
| ML15037A386 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/03/2015 |
| From: | Kegeles G - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Division of Administrative Services |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| 79FR73106 00002, NRC-2014-0260 | |
| Download: ML15037A386 (2) | |
Text
As of: 2/3/15 11:52 AM Received: February 03, 2015 PUBLIC SUBMISSION Status: PendingPost PUBL C S
BMIS IONTracking No. ljz-8gzk-9tzx Comments Due: February 09, 2015 Submission Type: API Docket: NRC-2014-0260 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations Comment On: NRC-2014-0260-0002 Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station; License Amendment Application; Reopening of Public Comment Period Document: NRC-2014-0260-DRAFT-0002 Comment on FR Doc # 2015-01707 Submitter Information Name: Gloria Kegeles Address:
U, PO Box 254 Wendell, MA, 01379 Email: chromephotos@yahoo.com 73 General Comment When Vermont Yankee nuclear plant shut down on Dec. 29, 2014, the threat to public safety did not end, in fact it may have increased. The temporary spent fuel pool is now holding 4 times as much spent fuel as it was designed to hold (close to 3,000 spent fuel rods), on top of a 7 story building, covered with a thin metal roof.
Highly radioactive fuel will continue to be moved through 2020 from the over-packed spent fuel pool high above the reactor, into dry cask storage and we need to be protected.
With VY downsizing its staff, is there enough security and oversight to protect citizens from terrorist threats?
And, if we lose power due to severe weather or if the grid goes down for any reason, will the back-up generators be sufficient to cool the spent fuel pool to ensure public safety? These questions are important to consider especially after 9/11 and the disaster at Fukushima, Japan (a plant that was the same Mach 1 Boiling Water Reactor as VY). In fact, the US government advised US citizens in Japan within 50 miles to evacuate.
There are several towns in MA within the 10 mile radius of VY and within their Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ): Greenfield, Bernardston*, Northfield, Warwick, Leyden*, Colrain and Gill (* entire town in the EPZ).
Entergy, the parent company of VY, has applied to the Nuclear Regulartory Commission (NRC) for an exemption that will allow it to end funding for the EPZ. The EPZ has in place a protective action plan designed to avoid/reduce potential exposure to radioactive materials, by including sheltering, evacuation, and the use of potassium iodide when appropriate. Also, Entergy has asked for an exemption that would increase the present SUNSI Review Complete Template = ADM - 013 E-RIDS= ADM-03 Add= ",
15 minute warning time to 60 minutes!
I oppose these 2 exemptions, as they affect our safety. The Greenfield Town Council has passed a resolution and other towns within the EPZ have written letters which oppose granting these 2 exemptions, and sent them to the NRC, federal and state representatives and senators, Vermont Dept. of Public Service, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Mass. Gov. Baker.
I believe that the EPZ should be expanded to 50 miles at the minimum, until the spent fuel has been completely moved to dry cask storage. I live about 15 miles from VT Yankee, in Massachusetts, and my town is completely unprotected from the possibility of a catastrophic event. Please do not allow VT Yankee to renege on its responsibilities to human life.
Additionally, we need immediate notification of an event, not no notification, not 15 minutes, not one hour! The proposal to one hour is an outrage. My town as it is, won't be notified at all, unless the protection zone is expanded. Radioactivity can/will easily reach 15 miles from its source in no time.
Thank you for acting responsibly to protect American citizens' lives and health rather than the profits of large corporations.