ML19319A314
| ML19319A314 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 09/10/2019 |
| From: | Hudson W Maine Yankee Community Advisory Panel |
| To: | Kimberly Conway Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs |
| K CONWAY DUWP | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19319A308 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML19319A314 (10) | |
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US NRC Public Meeting Community Engagement Panel Best Practices Brattleboro, VT September 10, 2019 Comments on behalf of the Maine Yankee Community Advisory Panel by Chair W. Donald Hudson, Jr. PhD
The Maine Yankee CAP 22 Years and Counting
- The MY decommissioning CAP, initiated by MY in the summer of 1997 just before the plant shutdown, held over 50 meetings from 1997-2005.
- Each decommissioning is unique, and the method of community engagement will differ depending on the site, community, and state. This is the model that has worked well for us.
- In 2005 the CAP published The Maine Yankee Decommissioning Advisory Panel, A Model for Public Participation in Nuclear Projects to share our experience with other communities. It is on the MY website at:
http://www.maineyankee.com/public/cap%20final.pdf.
- In 2005, at the CAPs recommendation the decommissioning CAP transitioned to todays Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage & Removal CAP.
- Unlike the decommissioning CAP that had a predictable end date, the SNF CAP's longevity is indefinite as it is unknown when DOE will meet its obligations to remove the SNF & GTCC waste from the site.
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Maine Yankee Prior to Plant Former Plant Site post Decommissioning decommissioning Maine Yankee today: A Stand-Alone ISFSI Site indefinitely storing SNF &
GTCC waste until the DOE removes this material from the site.
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The Maine Yankee Decommissioning CAP
- The 14-member MY Decommissioning CAP was established to improve the companys dialogue with the community including its critics. Its purpose:
to enhance open communication, public involvement, and education on Maine Yankee decommissioning issues
- CAP membership was diverse and included the spokesperson of the local opposition group. Given the impacts of decommissioning on local and surrounding communities a majority of members represented local stakeholders.
- The CAP learned about, discussed, and weighed in on the whole range of decommissioning issues: long term on-site storage of SNF, site remediation, end state of the site, concrete & soil disposition, the license termination plan, large radioactive component removal & shipment, and the explosive demolition of containment. This played out in a public forum with many stakeholders at the table.
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MY Decommissioning CAP 5
Best Practices & Lessons Learned
- Strong CAP leadership is crucial. Then State Senator Marge Kilkelly was instrumental in working with MY on the CAP's formation/Charter and provided able leadership of the panel as Chair from 1997-2012.
- Company buy-in from the president on down is key. The CAPs first meeting was held August 21, 1997, two weeks after permanent shutdown.
At that meeting MYs president set the tone for an open dialogue with the CAP and community that has continued to this day.
- Embrace openness, respect diversity, listen, and take risks to build trust.
The goal of the CAP was not to have consensus on all issues, but to have a process that better informs decision making. As one CAP member put it, "Do not be afraid of having noisy opposition at the table."
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Best Practices & Lessons Learned
- Consistent attendance at meetings matters. Consistent attendance of panel members, participation of state and federal regulators, and regular attendance of the local print media were critical to the success of the CAP process.
- Hold regular, well announced and well-planned meetings. The CAP met monthly and later quarterly. Beyond the regular meetings, the CAP met annually to plan its work for the coming year.
- Clearly define the purpose, role, and scope of a CAP. The CAP's purpose was to enhance open communication, public involvement and education on MY decommissioning issues and to advise the company. The CAP had no decision-making or policy making authority but did have the ability to influence decisions and policy.
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Best Practices & Lessons Learned
- Stay focused on the defined mission. There were issues tangential to decommissioning such as SNF removal and site repurposing that the CAP acknowledged and remained informed about; however, the panel understood a successful decommissioning was a necessary first step to assure the SNF would be ready for transport and the site available for repurposing when DOE meets its obligation to remove the SNF.
- Share Knowledge. As one CAP member put it, "In the United States, there are over 100 more of these decommissionings to go." Communities will benefit by understanding the experiences of others who have faced the challenges of decommissioning. Attend conferences, meet with members of other communities, seek information, and share with others what you know.
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MY CAP on SNF Storage & Removal
- With plant decommissioning complete, in 2005 the CAP transitioned to the 10 member CAP on Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage and Removal which meets annually. As one CAP member put it, "This marks the end of a process, but not the end of the story."
- The Chair and Vice-Chair are original CAP members and two other members have served on the CAP for 20 years.
- The CAP continues to monitor activities at MY, receives an update from the State of Maine at each annual meeting, stays current on the national status of the SNF issue, and sends an annual letter to the Maine Congressional delegation regarding the urgent need for Congress to resolve the SNF issue.
- In 2015 the CAP initiated a letter to the NE congressional delegation with a similar message signed by the community panel chairs from MY, Connecticut Yankee, Yankee Rowe and the VT NDCAP. (Like MY, CY and YR are stand-alone ISFSI sites with CABs that began in the 90s and transitioned to SNF CABs) 9
MY CAP on SNF Storage & Removal Key CAP Activities 2005-2019 2005, CAP Vice-Chair Don Hudson participated on a panel at an NRC decommissioning forum. Comments centered on the value to an open, public process made possible by the structure and activity of the CAP.
2010, the CAP and MY hosted a meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Americas Nuclear Future Transportation and Storage Subcommittee.
2011, several CAP members provided testimony to the BRC in Boston.
2012, CAP Chair Marge Kilkelly participated in a Bipartisan Policy Center panel discussion on BRC recommendations in Washington, DC representing the community perspective.
2018, annual letter to the ME congressional delegation stated in part: "The CAP wants you to know that we are here, we are watching, and we are beyond frustrated that the long standing stalemate on spent nuclear fuel policy remains largely unchanged, while our community and electric ratepayers continue to bear the economic burden of the federal government's unmet contractual and statutory obligation to remove the spent nuclear fuel and Greater-than-Class C waste from Maine Yankee."
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