ML20161A083
| ML20161A083 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 06/03/2020 |
| From: | Markey E US SEN (Senate) |
| To: | NRC Region 1 |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20132A185 | List: |
| References | |
| MN 20-002 | |
| Download: ML20161A083 (1) | |
Text
Statement from Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
NRC Public Meeting June 3, 2020 This public meeting on the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant provides an important chance for local stakeholders to weigh in on issues related to the safety and performance of the plant. Given this opportunity, I would like to highlight three specific areas of concern.
In April, Senator Warren and Representative Moulton joined me in raising our concerns about the Seabrook plants refueling process during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. We cited specific concerns regarding regulatory exemptions, the health and safety of plant workers, and the ability of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff to maintain the necessary frequency and quality of plant inspections as inspectors transitioned to remote work. I appreciate the efforts the NRC has taken to respond to these concerns, as well as the briefing from NextEra on its pandemic safety plans. I will continue to work with the NRC and the operator to ensure that safety at the plant, among the workforce, and in the surrounding community is prioritized during this difficult time.
While Seabrook ended 2019with performance indicators of only very low safety significance I remain concerned about the potential effects of an NRC proposal to minimize and devalue the safety and security significance of lower-risk inspection findings in the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) framework. As the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station demonstrated, these findings can provide a better understanding of broader issues at a nuclear site, and I urge the NRC to reject the proposal to weaken the ROP.
Lastly, I continue to support strong monitoring and oversight of the structural degradation of the Seabrook plant. The NRCs decision to approve the Seabrook license amendment and extension before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) held its evidentiary hearing was disappointing and undermined the effort for a transparent, accountable relicensing process. I will keep fighting for public input and strong science to be centered in the NRCs oversight of the Seabrook plant.