ML041070341

G20040272 - Joanie Parks Ltr Oyster Creek License Extension

ML041070341
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	03/31/2004
From:	Jazel Parks - No Known Affiliation
To:	Kennedy J, Mcgreevey J, Ridge T, Travers W NRC/EDO, State of NJ, US Executive Office of the President, Homeland Security Council
References
G20040272
Download: ML041070341 (4)

Text

EDO Principal Correspondence Control FROM: DUE: 05/06/04 EDO CONTROL: G20040272 DOC DT: 03/31/04 FINAL REPLY:

Joanie M. Parks Waretown, New Jersey TO:

Travers, EDO, et al.

FOR SIGNATURE OF : ** GRN ** CRC NO:

Dyer, NRR DESC: ROUTING:

Oyster Creek License Extension Travers Norry Paperiello Kane Collins Dean DATE: 04/14/04 Burns/Cyr Miller, RI ASSIGNED TO: CONTACT: Zimmerman, NSIR NRR Dyer SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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Joanie M. Parks 73 Pancoast Road Waretown, NJ 08758-2649 609.971.5628 jmparks(comcast.net March 31, 2004 James E. McGreevey James J. Kennedy Governor of New Jersey State Street Partners P. O. Box 001 156 W. State Street-Suite 101 Trenton, NJ 08625 Trenton, NJ 08608 Dr. William D. Travers Tom Ridge Director of Operations Office of Homeland Security US NRC' The White Housel600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Mail Stop 16E15 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20555 Washington, DC 20500 RE: Oyster Creek License Extension Gentlemen, I have written many letters over the last year, but this is the first letter to Mr. Ridge and James Kennedy.

Governor McGrecvey, it's time that you take a stand against this license extension for the safety of New Jersey residents statewide and especially those of us living in Ocean County. I've written to you several times for your position on Oyster Creek and have yet to receive an answer.

In addition to the possibility of an age-related operational problem, New Jersey residents now share the very real concern of a terrorist attack on our nuclear plants. As governor of this state I would think these two issues would compel you to take a stand against a license renewal.

There will be an economic impact on Lacey Towvnship wvhen the plant is closed, but the m---magnitude of that impact-is far less than the economic impact when AT&T downsized tens of - -

thousand of employees over the past 10 years. AT&T helped ease this impact by offering severance packages, retraining employees, career counseling and other employee services. I'm sure AmerGen has the funds to do the same to help ease the economic impact for their 450 employees who work at the plant.

Dr. Travers, I've read that the NRC has never in its history denied a nuclear plant. Given the fact that Oyster Creek is the country's oldest nuclear plant and has serious structural problems and has received numerous citations over the past several years, I urge you to keep the safety of those living in New Jersey and surrounding states as a top priority as you weight the pros and cons of a license extension.

EDO -- G20040272

- 2 -

In the last 3 weeks Oyster Creek made local news again.

Asbury ParkPress, 1arch 10, 2004, pageA19: Oyster Creek design vulnerable to TerroristAttack "This vintage Reactor Building is structurallynot adequate to protect the spentfiel rodsfrom an aircraftterroristattack A largeplane can easilypenetrate the metal building ovler thefielpool. "

None of us thought terrorists would attack these United States. They did. They will again, and Oyster Creek is a good target. There are cracks in the Reactor Building requiring periodic monitoring by plant structural engineers. Is anyone monitoring these engineers to be certain that they are doing theirjob? .

• Asbtry Park Press,MArcl 17, 2004, pageAl: Ni clearPlant FaultedforCable Failure. "FEDERAL inspectors increase oversighl aifierfindinglgi'orkersfor the 3 rd itie in 8 years, hadjailedto notice a powver line ruinedby water."

At every meeting I've attended, Oyster Creek's spokespeople tout how their workers are responsible professionals and keep a safe environment. Apparently some problems slip through the cracks. I am shocked that the NCR did not assess a penalty for this mistake and that the federal government has to 'babysit' AmerGen employees and the plant.

Ocean County Observer, Aarch 30, 2004: "W'hether a commercialplane hits the Reactor Building, or a large bomb is detonatednearby the current amount of concrete barriers vill not prevent disaster. It would cause internalpipes and other machinery to buckle, and cracks wouldform. " In addition, this article states, "there are no-flyzones designatedaroundDisneyland in California,but not nuclearplants".

Mr. Ridge, I do hope you give your input to the Oyster Creek license extension issue. In general, nuclear plants are a very real threat, and especially Oyster Creek, given its age and structural problems.. I drive by this plant on a daily basis and it doesn't seem very safe to me. Yes, sometimes there is a government-looking vehicle and men in camouflage sitting in front of the plant, but not always and sometimes they don't even look like they are awake!

And what's the alternative to Oyster Creek? If Oyster Creek shuts down, a load-following natural gas power plant will likely replace it, operated with less than 35 people, and pose an insignificant risk to the surrounding population.

Although we live in a-gambling state, my family and I do not want to gamble with our lives.

I respectfully thank you for reading my letter and would very much appreciate a reply from each one of you. My address, phone number, and email are above.

Sincerely, oanie M. Parks

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