ML23088A239
| ML23088A239 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 01/13/2023 |
| From: | Mitchell C - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Office of Administration |
| References | |
| NRC-2022-0183, 87FR76219 01332 | |
| Download: ML23088A239 (1) | |
Text
file:///C/...op/NRC-2022-0183%20FDMS%20FILE/NRC-2022-0183%202023-02-01%2015-03-12_docs/NRC-2022-0183-DRAFT-1332.html[3/24/2023 4:45:44 PM]
PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: February 01, 2023 Received: January 13, 2023 Status: Pending_Post Tracking No. lcu-no10-nupl Comments Due: January 30, 2023 Submission Type: API Docket: NRC-2022-0183 Vistra Operations Company LLC Comanche Peak Power Company LLC Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 Comment On: NRC-2022-0183-0003 Notice of Intent To Conduct Scoping Process and Prepare Environmental Impact Statement; Vistra Operations Company LLC; Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 Document: NRC-2022-0183-DRAFT-1332 Comment on FR Doc # 2022-27025 Submitter Information Name: Cheryl Mitchell Email:milawoff@aol.com General Comment RE: Docket ID NRC-2022-0183
Dear NRC:
SUBJECT:
Dont extend aging Comanche Peak nuclear licenses.
I am an attorney in Washington State and I am writing to urge you to reject the application by Vistra to extend the operating licenses for the Comanche Peak nuclear power reactors for an additional 20 years. I have researched the issue of nuclear power for many years and I am absolutely certain that nuclear energy is not safe.
If you have any doubt about this, you should ask why it is that no insurance company will agree to underwrite a policy for nuclear accidents. Instead, the risk of a nuclear accident has been shifted to American taxpayers, who have absolutely NO SAY in the licensing of nuclear facilities. John Fuller wrote a book tilted, "How We Almost Lost Detroit" which outlines the history of nuclear power. Clearly, the United States government has ignored the lessons of Fukushima and other nuclear disasters that have taken place world-wild/
These reactors are scheduled to be retired on or before 2030 and 2033. It is essential that they be decommissioned as scheduled in order to protect public health, safety, security, and to protect American taxpayers from the financial burdens of the costs associated with nuclear accidents.
When I was in law school my professors taught the students that the United States government works for the American people. If this were ever true, it certainly isn't now. The government is working for private interests to the detriment of the American people. I am sure you are aware that recent public polls demonstrate that Americans have a significantly reduced level of trust in the government.
Now that COVID risks have declined, I believe that in-person scoping meetings should be held in Texas, as originally planned. The government has used the excuse of COVID to lessen, and even prevent, public SUNSI Review Complete Template=ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 ADD: Tam Tran, Antoinette Walker-Smith, Ted Smith, Mary Neely Comment (1332)
Publication Date: 12/13/2022 Citation: 87 FR 76219
file:///C/...op/NRC-2022-0183%20FDMS%20FILE/NRC-2022-0183%202023-02-01%2015-03-12_docs/NRC-2022-0183-DRAFT-1332.html[3/24/2023 4:45:44 PM]
participation in governmental decision-making. I request that a hearing opportunity be allowed for those seeking to intervene and that the deadline for requesting a hearing be postponed for 90 days past the current January 30 deadline.
The NRC should hold both an afternoon and evening public meetings, as were scheduled before the COVID pandemic. These hearings were "postponed" at the last moment, without adequate public notice. Four hours of in-person meeting time were reduced to only two hours online. There is now no evening opportunity to participate for people who work in the day, and not everyone can access online meetings. There will be no exhibits or opportunity to speak directly with NRC staff. This is just one more way the the NRC has intentionally worked to diminish public participation.
As a person who has researched the issues associated with nuclear reactors, I am concerned about the increased safety and financial risks that would result from allowing another 20 years of Comanche Peak nuclear reactor operation. Risks from stress corrosion cracking, metal fatigue and embrittlement would all increase, and thereby increase accident risks and the potential for radiation releases. There are 7.76 million residents in nearby Dallas/Ft. Worth. Public health and safety should come first in this decision. Instead, this appears to be a purely financial decision, without proper risk assessments and an estimate of the number of people who would die as a result of a nuclear catastrophe.
Scoping should consider that there is no need for 20 more years of nuclear power. Renewable solar and wind generation are the most affordable and safest way to meet energy needs. Texas has abundant renewable resources to tap and a grid to move the power as needed.
Seismic concerns of both the reactors and the Squaw Creek Reservoir need to be re-examined in light of recent earthquake activity. Comanche Peak is within the Barnett Shale, a region with extensive fracking and numerous injection wells. There are fault lines in the area and a magnitude 3 earthquake had its epicenter only 20 miles from the site. The reservoir water contains radioactive tritium, and the integrity of the earthen dam must be included in the scoping, including the extent of inspections and past and anticipated impacts to the dam from seismic activity.
I urge you to stop working to prevent public participation in the decision-making process regarding these aging nuclear reactors. The NRC should extend the deadline for intervention and host in-person meetings and hearings in order to provide the greatest amount of public participation..
Sincerely,