ML21050A102

Comment (11) of John Duffin Opposing Notice of Intent to Conduct Scoping Process and Prepare Environmental Impact Statement; NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC, Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2

ML21050A102
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	02/17/2021
From:	Duffin J - No Known Affiliation
To:	Office of Administration
References
86FR7747 00011, NRC-2020-0277
Download: ML21050A102 (2)

Text

2/19/2021 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/aae5479d-8b0e-4a9a-9a64-f5a2264bf020 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/aae5479d-8b0e-4a9a-9a64-f5a2264bf020 1/2 PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: 2/19/21 8:18 AM Received: February 17, 2021 Status: Pending_Post Tracking No. 1k5-9luk-9qr0 Comments Due: March 03, 2021 Submission Type: Web Docket: NRC-2020-0277 Notice of Intent to Conduct Scoping Process and Prepare Environmental Impact Statement NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC; Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Comment On: NRC-2020-0277-0001 Notice of Intent To Conduct Scoping Process and Prepare Environmental Impact Statement; NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC, Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Document: NRC-2020-0277-DRAFT-0015 Comment on FR Doc # 2021-02001 Submitter Information Name: John Duffin Address:

1202 Southfield Dr.

Menasha, 54952 Email: japple51@gmail.com General Comment I attended, as a private citizen, the NRC online hearing on Feb 17 allowing public comments, and there were many well-informed commenters who made the same points I was planning to make. As I listened to the many comments and concerns, I decided to submit this written input. My primary concern, and reason for attending, remains the safety of the Point Beach nuclear reactors and storage facilities. It sounded as though the plant manager there and the NextEra owners will do their best to maintain safety, and I hope that is sufficient. However, the risk of radioactive emissions escaping the plant, and even the major catastrophe of a meltdown, are concerns that cannot be assuaged even by skillful plant management. Given the bright future of increasingly affordable wind and solar power to replace the power produced at Point Beach, my belief is that the risks of continuing nuclear power are not justifiable.

In addition, the problem of long-term storage of spent nuclear rods is an expense and a safety problem that we should not keep compounding.

As an advocate for worldwide action to mitigate climate change, I am also concerned about the waste water being discharged into Lake Michigan from the Point Beach plant. I think the EIS should include independent monitoring of the water temperature of the water being discharged and include measurements of the lake water in the area near Point Beach. As other citizens attending the hearing pointed out, lake temperatures are already rising--as are water levels. This is consistent with the warming of our oceans and lakes, worldwide, with climate change. A study by Purdue University in 2018, measuring L. Michigan water temperatures in Indiana, found that surface water temperatures have increased by an average of 3 degrees since 1980. This was projected to continue at the rate of 1 degree warming per decade. The study noted that even an increase of 0.5 degrees, when added to the warming that is already occurring, may lead to massive algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels in the water. In SUNI Review Complete Template=ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 ADD: Phyllis Clark, Bill Rogers, Mary Neely Comment (11)

Publication Date:2/1/2021 Citation: 86 FR 7747

2/19/2021 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/aae5479d-8b0e-4a9a-9a64-f5a2264bf020 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/aae5479d-8b0e-4a9a-9a64-f5a2264bf020 2/2 July, 2020, Lake Michigan water temperatures in the Chicago area were measured at 75.1--about 11 degrees above the average lake temperatures. Game fish, including lake trout and salmon, which thrive in cold, oxygen-rich water, would be negatively impacted--especially if the zooplankton population crashes as it is vulnerable to doing in water that is too warm. This part of our recreational fishing industry and part of the food supply chain should be considered in the EIS.

My belief is that the Point Beach Nuclear Facility has outlived its usefulness and should be retired before these potential problems become all too real. I trust that a thorough EIS would support that conclusion.

Thank you.