ML21063A085

Comment (83) of Kevin on 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

ML21063A085
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	02/28/2021
From:	Kamps K Beyond Nuclear, Don't Waste Michigan
To:	Office of Administration
References
86FR7747 00083, NRC-2020-0277
Download: ML21063A085 (2)

Text

3/4/2021 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/1ad487e2-d12d-42bb-90bc-399030edee32 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/1ad487e2-d12d-42bb-90bc-399030edee32 1/2 PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: 3/4/21 7:30 AM Received: February 28, 2021 Status: Pending_Post Tracking No. klp-wou5-zphg 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-0088 Comment on FR Doc # 2021-02001 Submitter Information Email: kevin@beyondnuclear.org Organization: Beyond Nuclear and Don't Waste Michigan General Comment Wind power as an alternative to 80 years of extended operations at Point Beach nuclear power plant is readily achievable, and should be the preferred alternative. Both onshore and offshore wind power potential should be considered. It is ironic that NextEra (formerly Florida Power & Light) would not include wind power as a viable alternative in its Environmental Report (ER) and license application, considering that if you go to NextEra's website homepage, featured there is a beautiful, powerful photo of large-scale wind turbines filling a vast landscape. Such a visionary scenario is most doable in Wisconsin, both on-land and offshore, in Lake Michigan, and should be done, instead of allowing the dangerously age-degraded Point Beach reactors to continue operating for three more decades, or longer.

The only alternative sources of electricity considered in NextEra's ER are, inexplicably, solar backed up by natural gas, and small modular nuclear reactors. What about solar and wind backed up by batteries and/or compressed air energy storage? Why aren't such cleaner, safer, more secure, more affordable, just as or more reliable, and more realistic energy options considered?

It is not surprising that NextEra has done this though. In its home base of the Sunshine State, Florida Power & Light has -- contrary to its green-washing PR campaigns -- long neglected the tremendous potential for solar power (as well as wind power), instead preferring nuclear power, as well as the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity. The latter are most ironic, as burning fossil fuels contributes to climate chaos, global warming, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels. Florida is facing inundation in the decades ahead, making nuclear power plant operation on its coastlines, ever more dangerous and unrealistic. This is especially true at FP&L's own two-reactor Turkey Point nuclear power plant in southern Florida, which, ironically enough -- throwing caution to the wind (and waves) -- NRC has already rubber-stamped for 80 years of operations. Turkey Point already suffered a very near miss with a major catastrophe in 1992 during Hurricane Andrew. FP&L/NextEra, and NRC, have unwisely ignored that cautionary tale.

SUNI Review Complete Template=ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 ADD: Phyllis Clark, Bill Rogers, Mary Neely Comment (83)

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

3/4/2021 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/1ad487e2-d12d-42bb-90bc-399030edee32 blob:https://www.fdms.gov/1ad487e2-d12d-42bb-90bc-399030edee32 2/2 In addition to renewable sources of electricity being ready to affordably displace Point Beach, energy efficiency should be maximized. In fact, nega-watts, as dubbed by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute, are the cheapest kilowatt-hours to be had -- those that never had to be generated in the first place.

Dr. Arjun Makhijani of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research concluded in his 2007 book Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy, that the U.S. economy -- the largest of any country on Earth -- could readily and affordably go nuclear power-free and fossil fuel-free, relying entirely on renewables and efficiency, within just a few decades, if only we chose to.

Since then, Dr. Makhijani has done multiple state-level analyses -- such as in Maryland, as but one example -- showing how to practically accomplish this carbon-free and nuclear-free energy economy. The same could readily be done in Wisconsin as well. After all, WI hosts the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, a national leader in its field, and its annual Fair.

Sincerely, Kevin Kamps Beyond Nuclear, Radioactive Waste Specialist; Don't Waste Michigan, Board of Directors Member, representing the Lake Michigan Chapter; Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, Advisory Board Member Beyond Nuclear 7304 Carroll Avenue, #182 Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 kevin@beyondnuclear.org www.beyondnuclear.org Beyond Nuclear aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abolish both to safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear advocates for an energy future that is sustainable, benign and democratic.