ML23139A050
| ML23139A050 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 01/13/2023 |
| From: | Burnett B - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Office of Administration |
| References | |
| NRC-2022-0183, 87FR76219 01400 | |
| Download: ML23139A050 (1) | |
Text
file:///G/...0Comments/NRC-2022-0183%20NEW/NRC-2022-0183%202023-04-05%2010-26-49_docs/NRC-2022-0183-DRAFT-1400.html[5/17/2023 12:17:05 PM]
PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: April 05, 2023 Received: January 13, 2023 Status: Pending_Post Tracking No. lcu-s20u-pupi 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-1400 Comment on FR Doc # 2022-27025 Submitter Information Name: Barbara Burnett Email:nw4estcats@yahoo.com General Comment RE: Docket ID NRC-2022-0183
Dear NRC:
Dont extend the aging Comanche Peak nuclear licenses.
As a former boardmember of Citizens Association for Sound Energy (CASE) (My married name at the time was Barbara Burnett; my name after my divorce in 1997 is Barbara Burnett), the intervenor group who participated for years in the licensing hearings before the ASLB opposing the construction and licensing of the two units of the Comanche Peak power plant built by TESCO I strongly urge you to reject the application by Vistra to extend the operating licenses for those nuclear power reactors for an additional year, much less 20 years. To protect public health, safety, security, and financial health, the reactors should retire as licensed, on or before 2030 and 2033. I participated in the hearings before the ASLB on both units as well as in rate-base hearings before the Texas PUC for both units for a number of years, and have always been extremely concerned about the shoddy engineering, construction, and inspection at all stages of the project.
I request that in-person scoping meetings be held in Texas, as originally planned, when Covid risks subside. I request that a hearing opportunity be allowed for those seeking to intervene and that the deadline for requesting a hearing be postponed for at least 90 days past the current January 30 deadline--which is utterly inadequate for intervenors to complete comprehensive documentation for the board and staff.
Both an afternoon and evening public meeting were scheduled, but then 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. Knowing how the system SUNSI Review Complete Template=ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 ADD: Tam Tran, Antoinette Walker-Smith, Ted Smith, Mary Neely Comment (1400)
Publication Date: 12/13/2022 Citation: 87 FR 76219
file:///G/...0Comments/NRC-2022-0183%20NEW/NRC-2022-0183%202023-04-05%2010-26-49_docs/NRC-2022-0183-DRAFT-1400.html[5/17/2023 12:17:05 PM]
actually works, I am greatly concerned that such an inordinately brief time for comments is completely inadequate for genuine concerns to be raised, discussed, and documented. I am also fully aware that the public's "comments" carry no legal weight and are routinely dismissed from consideration by the staff. (Basically, it's viewed as a way to allow "the public" to vent their concerns, without legally obligating the staff to consider a word that they say. I have seen this happen many times in public comment sessions, and I challenge anyone to refute it.) Meetings should be scheduled for at least 2 weeks--mornings and afternoons and evenings. Exhibits and the opportunity for expert witness testimony must also be adequately provided for. Otherwise these "public meetings" should be acknowledged as the sham that they are intended to be. Prove me wrong. Schedule real hearings with real teeth.
I am greatly concerned about the increased safety and financial risks that would result from allowing the Comanche Peak nuclear reactors to operate for another 20 years. Risks from stress corrosion cracking, metal fatigue and embrittlement would all increase ('tis pure physics), 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. Also note that radiation releases from the plant have already contaminated the sacred indigenous springs at the plant site. Continued operations would only worsen the existing pollution.
Scoping should seriously 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.
Please substantially extend the deadline for intervenors and host extended in-person meetings and hearings where genuine documentation and evidence and expert witnesses are featured. Anything less is a sham.
Thank you.