ML15106A879

Letter from Kristin Welch, Environmental Studies Student at Stony Brook University, Requesting the NRC to Deny Indian Point License Renewal

ML15106A879
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	03/30/2015
From:	- No Known Affiliation
To:
References
Download: ML15106A879 (2)

Text

Honorable Stephen G. Burns U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington , DC 20555-0001 Re: Denying Indian Point's Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal Dear Honorable Burns: 183 Hoover Road Rochester , NY 1461 7 March 30 1\ 2015 I am an Environmental Studies student at Stony Brook University.

I am writing to y ou toda y in regards to the future of New York City's energy supply and wellbeing.

Located 34 miles north from the center of Manhattan , the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant lies on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. As of right now , Indian Point's Unit #2 is operating past its expiration date; the approaching expiration date for Unit #3 is in December of this year. With the impending expiration date of its operating license , Enterg y is seeking a license renewal for another 20 years. While Indian Point provides about one-fourth of New York City's energy , I believe that the vulnerable location and environmental implications that could arise from a meltdown outweigh the benefits of extending the use of the plant. First , Indian Point is alread y posing a threat to the environment through its cooling system. Ever y da y, two billion gallons of cooling water from the Hudson River is brought into the plant. Lacking the proper funds and equipment for a closed cooling system , aquatic life like fish and larvae are swept in along with the water and killed. Not to mention the accidental spills that release radiation into the water , exposin g radioactive toxins to the aquatic life. Some of these radioactive toxins , like tritium and strontium-90 , have been leaking from the spent fuel s at the power plant and into the Hudson River since 2005 1* Spills , such as the one at Indian Point , happen and expose the surrounding organisms to increased levels of radiation. While the environment is currently facin g detrimental impacts from the power plant , I also fear for the possible repercussions if a meltdown were to occur. Due to its location on the Hudson River , northerl y winds could allow a radiation cloud to spread south towards the New York City region , causing a significant threat to public health. Under extreme circumstances , evacuation o f Manhattan would be nearl y impossible in a timel y fashion , leaving people stuck on an island with limited escape outlets. Furthermore , Indian Point lies in a seismically active area and is at risk of e x periencing an earthquake of a magnitude of 6 or hi g her 2* Thi s would be less concerning iflndian Point had the proper infrastructure to protect against earthquakes. Unfortunatel y, the age and location oflndian Point poses a serious risk to the environment and the millions of people surrounding the area. Nuclear power is a great alternative to coal and oil under the right circumstances.

However , the location and age of Indian Point is worrisome.

With that said , I implore you to den y the license renewal. In doin g so , New York City could invest in renewable energy , like offshore wind power , that would become a lon g-term sustainable solution. While it ma y take time to establish a renewable energy system , the rejection of a license renewal could allow the cit y to start looking into other plausible rene w able sources. Otherwise , upgrades must be made to the power plant to protect against earthquakes and leaks. Thank y ou for your time. I appreciate your consideration of this important matter regarding the future o f New York City and I look forward to hearing from y ou. Sincerel y , K r istin Welch Di s cl a im er: The c ont e nt a nd opini o ns s t a ted in thi s l e tt e r ar e mine a lone a nd d o n ot n ecess aril y reflect the v i ews o f S to n y Brook U ni ve r s i ty , it s a dmini st ration or i ts facul ty. 1 http://www.ri ve r ke eper.o r g/ca mpai gns/s t o p-pollut e r s/indi an-p o in t/radi oact i ve-was t e/ 2 http://www.nrd c.o r g/nucl ea r/i ndianp o in t/fil e s/N RD C-13 3 6 _Indi an_ P o i nt_ f S r 8 m e dium. pd f

.. . 'We.\ch \83

\L\b\l

.. .. . " '* .Iii!

M't 1.:1 ..

0 7 APH. 201.5 FM 5 i. \-\onoro.'o\e.

5-tephen G\ Burns Nuc\ea.r Comm iss \on \ S+op O-\ lo 6'L\ WCLs'"'."'C)to", oc Z.0555-ooot 2t)555C;C;C; i I I 1I*11h11IIIJ1I/1III*111J1l//,1I.1,.*11l/1I1IIII,,111.

111/*I/11

• I US A