ML14127A425

LTR-14-0265 - Representative William R. Keating Ltr. Safety of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station and Calls for the Closing of the Station

ML14127A425
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	04/25/2014
From:	Keating W US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate)
To:	Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman
Shared Package
ML14127A427	List: ML14127A425 ML14127A428 ML14150A515
References
LTR-14-0265
Download: ML14127A425 (3)

Text

WILLIAM R. KEATING WASHINGTON DC OFFICE 9TH DISTRICT, MASSACHUSETTS 315 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 225-3111 COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEES CAPE AND ISLANDS OFFICE RANKING MEMBER EUROPE, EURASIA, AND EMERGING THREATS 297 NORTH STREET, SUITE 312 ASIA AND THE PACIFIC HYANNIS, MA 02601 (508)771-0666 COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEES 0Iongr£zz of +/-4£ ~nit£~ ~hd£z NEW BEDFORD OFFICE

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m£fnz4ington, J§Ql 20515 PLYMOUTH OFFICE April25, 2014 2 COURT STREET PLYMOUTH, MA 02360 (508)746-9000 Allison M. Macfarlane, Chair U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 0-16G4 Washington, DC 20555-0001

Dear Chair Macfarlane,

I am writing to echo the concerns of many in Massachusetts, including Governor Patrick, Attorney General Coakley, and Senators Markey and Warren, in regard to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. In particular, fifteen Southeastern Massachusetts communities have recently expressed their serious concerns about the safety of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station ("Pilgrim").

These communities, which geographically surround the facility, each have issued local statements calling for the closing of Pilgrim, and have shared with me their grave concerns related to the impact on citizens should there be an accident. I share their concerns that no concrete, viable evacuation plan exists in such circumstances. Further, a recent NRC report that has classified Pilgrim and its reactors as at risk in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake has also added urgency to this communication. As you know, my colleagues and I have written to both you and your predecessor on the issue of the safety of Pilgrim. Perhaps, most memorably, we all wrote to express our concerns over the relicensing of Pilgrim as ongoing issues still remain unaddressed. Today, I write to see if there has been an update on those concerns as well as issues surrounding the evacuation plans for surrounding communities, the seismic re-evaluation findings for Pilgrim, the recent DOD designation of Pilgrim's status in regard to potential terrorist activity, the overcapacity of the spent fuel pool, and the uptick in shutdown activation and other recent concerning indicators at the plant.

In regard to the recent seismic hazard re-evaluation findings for Pilgrim as recommended by the NRC Near Term Task Force report following Fukushima, Pilgrim's reactors were discovered to be at a greater seismic hazard than the earthquake potential that could threaten the equipment needed to safely shut down the reactor. NRC has committed itself to immediately implementing mitigating measures for the most high risk reactor equipment around the country, and have identified mitigating measures that can quickly be implemented for some plants.

Since the unique geographical relationship between Pilgrim and the communities comprising Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts could put those residents at risk should there be an accident, I would echo the calls of my colleagues to urge the licensees of Pilgrim to take all necessary measure to ensure the safety of my constituents in the event of such an incident.

The potential impact of a major event at the plant is disquieting. As the representative of Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, I urge you to review the concerns that continue to plague the communities that I represent and further recommend that licensees be directed to immediately implement measures to ensure the safety of the reactors and waste storage facilities at Pilgrim and other plants should an earthquake, flood, or other disaster occur. The Commission's oversight of this facility is essential to the health and safety of the residents of Massachusetts.

I thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

ILLIAM R. KEATING Member of Congress

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