Extending the operating license of a decades old nuclear plant is big news.
- By Natalie Hildt Treat
- •
- 18 Apr, 2019
It is disappointing, though not surprising, that the NRC chose to push forward and grant both the license amendment request and the license extension for Seabrook Station (on March 11 and March 12, 2019), before serious questions about the nuclear plant's degraded concrete get a full public vetting.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says that C-10 will still get our public hearing on the concrete problems this summer.
Following are quotes of note in these news developments:
"There is no reason why the Seabrook license amendment should be approved before the hearing (on degraded concrete) occurs... public safety could be threatened by a premature approval of the license amendment" if C-10's concerns about Seabrook are not priorly heard. - Sen. Markey, Sen. Warren, and Rep. Moulton wrote to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a letter dated January 16, 2019."Because NextEra’s license amendment request has been hidden from scrutiny behind the veil of ‘proprietary’ status granted by the NRC, the only truly independent peer review will be provided through C-10’s participation in this proceeding” -C-10 board member Chris Nord.
“There simply is no reason for the NRC staff to act on the amendment or license extension requests at this time. NextEra’s existing license does not expire until March 15, 2030 — eleven years from today." -Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.
"In my expert opinion, the manner in which the NRC Staff reviewed and accepted NextEra’s testing and analysis programs was so devoid of scientific rigor or independence as to fatally undermine the credibility of its determinations regarding the safety of continuing to operate Seabrook in the presence of ASR." - Dr. Victor Saouma, University of Colorado, Boulder
“Our organization remains laser focused on exposing the scientific and regulatory shortcomings of this process, and we are committed to working on behalf of public safety.” - C-10 Executive Director Natalie Hildt Treat.
Some recent news coverage relative to Seabrook's license & C-10:
WBUR: Supporters Say Seabrook Nuke Protects Climate; Critics Worry About Cracks In The Concrete
Newburyport News: Village talk focuses on C-10, nuclear plant
Newburyport News: NRC sets September hearing date for C-10's filing
Lawrence Eagle Tribune: NRC grants license to Seabrook Station
Boston Globe - Nuclear Regulators to Extend Seabrook's License to 2050
Keene Sentinel - NRC defends Seabrook's license extension
Newburyport Daily News: Concerns, support voiced at crowded NRC meeting
Portsmouth Herald: Seabrook license extension delayed
NHPR: Regulators will take more public input
Newburyport Daily News: NRC delays Seabrook Station license renewal decision
MassLive: Feds agree to delay relicensing of Seabrook Station
Newburyport News: Lawmakers oppose NRC's plan to extend Seabrook license by Jan. 30
NHPR: Regulators To Allow Seabrook Nuclear Plant To Run Through 2050
SeacoastOnline: Seabrook nuclear plant set to receive 20-year extension
Follow us
