ML15104A317

Comment (2) of Adam Kinzinger on License Renewal Application of LaSalle County Generating Station

ML15104A317
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	02/03/2015
From:	Kinzinger A US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch
References
80FR5793 00002
Download: ML15104A317 (2)

Text

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.IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852

Dear Commissioners,

-0 Thank you for allowing my office the opportunity to address this public meeting regarding the license renewal application of the LaSalle County Generating Station that is currently pending with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The issue of maintaining our current fleet of clean, affordable energy generation in Illinois is of the utmost importance to residents, consumers, and elected officials throughout the region.

Illinois continues to be a leader in the production of carbon-free electricity with six nuclear plants providing nearly half of the overall electricity generating portfolio, and over 90 percent of the carbon free electricity in the state. Four of those facilities reside within the 16'h district alone where they have been a driving force in stabilizing not only the price of power, but also the reliability of the grid overall. If this source of clean base load power generation, approximately 12,000 Megawatts overall, were not available, there is little doubt that prices would rise exponentially, and grid stability would be negatively impacted.

Additionally, the nuclear energy industry has a substantial impact on the economy at the state and local level. These plants are directly responsible for providing thousands of quality, high-paying jobs for high-skilled workers, and in turn provide a huge boost to our economy worth nearly $9 billion annually. The 800 employees of the LaSalle facility earn over $50 million annually in payroll, and given that the majority of those employees reside in LaSalle and Grundy counties, they are able to provide a foundation in which to support the local tax-base.

We are here today to discuss the license renewal application of the LaSalle County Generating Station, which has been providing clean, reliable power to the grid for three decades. The process being followed by the NRC is amiable in the transparent manner in which it conducts these hearings. Allowing members of the public the opportunity to provide comments on the environmental aspects of the process shows a level of commitment to transparency that should take place in all aspects of government licensing.

It is also important to note that the NRC also requires the plant's application to include an additional environmental report based solely on the plant's potential impact to the environment should the application be extended beyond its initial license. This extra step helps to ensure the safety and environmental benefits of the facility to the surrounding area.

SUNSI Review Complete Template = ADM - 013 E-RIDS= ADM-03 Add= 0.

It is my hope that as this multi-year effort takes place, it will continue to do so in as expeditious manner as possible. Extending the life of this facility for twenty years will ensure that a clean source of energy for millions of consumers is able to move forward with certainty in their future operations.

Respectfully Adam Kinzinger Member of Congress