ML19296D967
| ML19296D967 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 01/31/1980 |
| From: | Bliss J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| To: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003130679 | |
| Download: ML19296D967 (2) | |
Text
e.
DOCXET NUMBER Business p oo. m u d g Industry Association e
50 Park Place, Newark, New Jersey 07102 201 623-8359 t-0 January 31, 1980.
D' A
r 4
p.y r
The Honorable John Ahearne I
<\\
9 Chairman Nuc1 car Regulatory Commission b
.,/
Washington, D.C.
20545 q,
- /
Dear Sir:
The Energy Council of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association re-spectfully responds to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's imposed " pause" in licensing for nuclear generating units.
On behalf of our 13,000 member businesses and industries we express particular concern over the delay in issuance of an operating license for the Salem No. 2 Unit which is ready for operation in New Jersey.
Construction of the Salem No. 2 plant has been fully completed and the unit has been ready for operation since May of 1979. Nevertheless, the
" holding pattern" assumed by the NRC has prevented the unit from coming on line.
For each day that the operation of Salem No. 2 is delayed, affected con-sumers pay an additional $900,000 for replacement fuel costs on the basis of full load operation. These costs are escalating each day as oil prices increase.
If lengthy delays in issuing this license continue, the economic burden to electric customers served by this unit could easily reach $23 million a month or more.
It is well known that the Northeastern portion of the United States has been hardest hit by fluctuations in energy costs and availability.
Seventy thousand manufacturing jobs were lost to New Jersey between 1969 and 1977 as manufacturers were attracted by better business climates and readily avail-able energy elsewhere. The resulting downslide has had a direct effect upon the citizens of New Jersey by promoting unemployment rates which have con-sistently surpassed national averages. Recently the statistics have shown an upturn in the empleyment and economy of New Jersey.
If our public utilities are unable to implement their long-standing plans to provide ade-quate and reliable power at reasonable cost, however, New Jersey may once again be caught in a downward employment and economic spiral.
8003180 formerly New Jersey Alan if4 cturers Associatico Home Office: Suthvan Way. Trenton, New Jersey 08607 609 771-0600
~
Page -2.-
TP snorable John Ahearne Furthermore, the impl?. cations of delay in the operation of Salen No. 2 are not solely economic. Recent events in the Middle East emphasize a national need to decrease our reliance on foreign oil.
Since replacement fuel for Salem No. 2 represents approximately one million barrels of imported oil per month, each day that plant is not operative has a negative impact on an important national goal.
We strongly urge the NRC to proceed with the licensing of Salem No. 2 with all deliberate speed. The plant is not only essential in meeting New Jersey's energy needs, but its timely operation is crucial to averting the negative economic and political impact of increased importation of foreign oil.
Sincerely, n
u Yb? /
LWY John W. Bliss, Chairman Co'uncil on Energy New Jersey Business and Industry Association
/bm O