ML21322A338
| ML21322A338 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Westinghouse |
| Issue date: | 11/18/2021 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| NRC/NMSS | |
| References | |
| 86FR43277 | |
| Download: ML21322A338 (5) | |
Text
From: Woods, Felicia - Columbia, SC <Felicia.Woods@usps.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2021 4:23 PM To: WEC_CFFF_EIS Resource
Subject:
[External_Sender] Public Comments for Westinghouse license renewal Attachments: November 19 - Environmental Draft.docx
Federal Register Notice: 86FR43277 Comment Number: 27 Mail Envelope Properties (SA0PR09MB7324E286832DB62C1BA10BAC8C9B9)
Subject:
[External_Sender] Public Comments for Westinghouse license renewal Sent Date: 11/18/2021 4:22:40 PM Received Date: 11/18/2021 4:25:18 PM From: Woods, Felicia - Columbia, SC Created By: Felicia.Woods@usps.gov Recipients:
"WEC_CFFF_EIS Resource" <WEC_CFFF_EIS.Resource@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None Post Office: SA0PR09MB7324.namprd09.prod.outlook.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3 11/18/2021 4:25:18 PM November 19 - Environmental Draft.docx 20454 Options Priority: Normal Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:
November 19, 2021 I am writing this e-mail, asking the NRC to consider extending the environmental assessment license for no more than 20 years instead of 40 years proposed from the Westinghouse Fuel Fabrication facility in Hopkins, SC. There have been several incidents at the plant recently (problem with a scrubber, drum fire, spiking station issues). Westinghouse has a long history of repeated violations of safety & negative environmental impacts for residents in Lower Richland.
The Lower Richland community wants better oversight (safety & environmental) of the air and water quality level around Westinghouse. We ask that the NRC not cut back on the number of inspections and monitoring of air, ground water resources and soil levels.
We want SCDHEC to continue to test for uranium levels released into the atmosphere (within limits/standards for federal and state air quality regulations). The soil samples collected around the sea land containers should continue to be analyzed. We also ask for the NRC to be notified as soon as possible of any malfunction of equipment or system at the plant that releases hazardous chemicals and/or gases (VOCs). Our community wants the NRC to protect employee and public health while promoting safe practices at Westinghouse. The community advocates for the NRC to continue with annual inspections.
The Lower Richland community is very concerned about the discharge released into the Congaree River from Westinghouse. We want DHEC to continue taking weekly samples from the Congaree River (notifying the public of any pollutants released that are harmful to the community, environment and/or wildlife.) Were also asking DHEC to double the number of ground water monitoring wells ~ as a precaution for potential leaks. The community has been told from DHEC that data shows that contaminants
from the Westinghouse plant operations do not extend beyond Westinghouse property boundaries.
The LR community wants better oversight of the wastewater discharge - continue to test for high levels of nitrate-nitrogen, uranium and terchnetium-99 in the treatment system. There have been liner issues in the past.
We continue to ask for transparency and accountability of environmental investigations at the Westinghouse facility. We advocate for the NRCs regulatory agency to protect the Community from waste emissions coming from the Westinghouse plant.
We want the NRC to be a voice for residents opposed to granting a 40-year license renewal to Westinghouse. The existing NRC license has failed in preventing numerous safety and environmental incidents at the plant. There should be a finding of significant impact to the community and no 40-year license renewal.
We dont have access to the Westinghouse safety environmental review which will be released March 2022. Past safety and environmental issues at the plant do not justify a 40-year license renewal. Westinghouse does not have a proven track record regarding employee and community safety.
The plant has been operating for over 50 years.
The NRC heard on August 26 from the public meeting webinar with local and state representatives, tribal representatives and residents about surface water and ground water contamination and how those levels exceed the applicable maximum contaminant
levels (MCLs) at Westinghouse. Also discussed during the webinar are concerns about the historic African American Denley cemetery on the grounds at Westinghouse. An archeological study should be completed before approval of an environmental license extension. How can there be a finding of no significant impact if Westinghouse is installing wells in the area near the cemetery?
What is needed is a regulatory agency (NRC) stepping up to the plate and not continue allowing inadequate safety and environmental practices in mostly low-income, impoverished areas where these plants are located. There is much health and economic disparity in the LR community where Westinghouse is located.
Residents of poor neighborhoods often struggle with higher crime rates, limited employment opportunities and poor health outcomes. With the effect of climate change increasing temperatures globally, what negative impacts to the Lower Richland Community will result from granting Westinghouse a 40-year license?
Please take into consideration the opposing comments received by mail, e-mail and public meeting webinar by not granting Westinghouse a 40-year license renewal.
The LR community is asking for the NRC to grant Westinghouse an environmental assessment renewal not exceeding 20 years. The community response should be at the heart of the NRCs decision. The focus should be on helping our community to thrive and providing a safe environment for residents to live and work.
Felicia Woods Gadsden