ML24270A271

Public Comments for August 1, 2024, Public Outreach Meeting on Potential Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart

ML24270A271
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	08/07/2024
From:	Schultz K - No Known Affiliation
To:	Office of Public Affairs
Wall S
References
Download: ML24270A271 (1)

Text

From: Kraig Schultz <kraigschultz@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 6:21 AM To : OPA Resource <OPA.Resource@nrc.gov>

Subject:

[External_Sender] Fwd: Kraig Schultz Comments as Made during August 1, 2024 NRC

/ Holtec Public Meeting At the recent Palisades / Holtec Public Meeting it was unclear where we should send our public comments for them to be made part of the public record.

For the public record, here is a transcript of my comments as made during August 1, 2024 NRC

/ Holtec Public Meeting:

"Thank you to the NRC for having this meeting.

My name is Kraig Schultz, I am a volunteer with Michigan Safe Energy Future. I live 50 miles from Palisades with my family. As a citizen and small business owner, I prefer that public funding is directed to less expensive, less risky sources of electricity like wind and solar that are combined with aggressive conservation.

On the subject of the use of public funding, I have specific requests for the NRC to improve their oversight.

The funds in the decommissioning trust fund must be restored to the balance present when Holtec took possession of the plant. The expenditures from this trust fund for activities labeled as "decommissioning" are questionable. Holtec's pursuit of reopening the plant suggests that the use of these funds may not have been entirely appropriate or aligned with the intended purpose. If Holtec's leadership chose to engage in contradictory activities simultaneously, that is their prerogative, but it is not for the public to finance such endeavors.

Given these concerns, we should reconsider granting Holtec a license to operate any nuclear plant subsidized with public funds; their management of public money has proven to be questionable at best.

To prevent future decommissioning projects from going off-target and misusing funds, the NRC must take the following actions:

1. Ensure that Holtec repays the decommissioning trust fund to its original balance.

2. Implement legal frameworks that require companies to receive zero public funds in advance of completing the work they are contracted to perform.

3. Establish stricter oversight and accountability measures for the management of decommissioning trust funds to prevent misuse and ensure alignment with the intended purpose.

By taking these steps, the NRC can safeguard public funds and ensure that future decommissioning projects are carried out responsibly and transparently."

Sincerely, Kraig Schultz 11919 Mill Lane Grand Haven, MI 49417