Senator Boxer and Rep. Markey Call on NRC to Complete Investigation before Restart Decisions are Mad

[bananas]

Source: Electric Light & Power

Office of the House of Representative Ed Markey, U.S Government has issued the following news release:

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Chairman, Dr. Allison Macfarlane, to immediately confirm that NRC will “take no action that could lead to any restart of the San Onofre nuclear power plant before the Commission completes its comprehensive investigation and provides a full opportunity for public participation." Senator Boxer and Rep. Markey sent the letter below in response to Southern California Edison’s (SCE) latest proposal to weaken its license requirements, which could prematurely enable a restart of the shutdown plant.

The text of the letter is below:

The Honorable Allison M. Macfarlane
Chairman
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
11555 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852

Dear Chairman Macfarlane,

We are writing to request that you immediately confirm that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will take no action that could lead to any restart of the San Onofre nuclear power plant before the Commission completes its comprehensive investigation and provides a full opportunity for public participation.

Southern California Edison (SCE) is seeking to shortcut the license amendment process by urging the NRC to declare that a license amendment that would enable the restart of the San Onofre facility at 70% power involves no significant hazards. We believe that granting this request would put public safety at risk.

SCE’s request to weaken its license requirements was made despite evidence showing that there could be a significant hazard from the operation of the deficient steam generators. We have already seen the unacceptable results of short circuiting safety reviews at San Onofre, and you provided assurances in a letter dated October 12, 2012, of the “Commission’s commitment that the agency will not allow restart at [San Onofre] until the investigation is completed and the facility is safe to operate.”

The NRC must complete its expansive investigation and safety review before making any preliminary or final decisions regarding a license amendment that could enable the restart of San Onofre, including the Unit 2 reactor. Anything less than that would fall far short of the kind of consideration the 8 million people who live within 50 miles of the San Onofre facility deserve.

We ask that you respond to this letter before the NRC takes any actions related to SCE’s license amendment or restart plan. In light of SCE’s efforts to expedite the restart of the plant, we would appreciate a response by close of business on April 10, 2013. If you have any questions, please have your staff contact Grant Cope of Chairman Boxer’s staff at 202-224-8832 or Dr. Michal Freedhoff of Rep. Markey’s staff at 202-225-2836.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
Chairman
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Edward J. Markey
Ranking Member
House Natural Resources Committee

For further information please visit: http://markey.house.gov



Read more: http://www.elp.com/news/2013/04/16/senator-boxer-and-rep-markey-call-on-nrc-to-complete-investigation-before-restart-decisions-are-made.html

[patrice]

1. K and fucking R!

[kardonb]

2. patrice

is it possible for intelligent people to express themselves without using the word" fucking" constantly ?

[Tikki]

3. This is really, really important...and patrice is using language appropriate for his/her feelings.

Last edited Tue Apr 16, 2013, 08:06 PM - Edit history (1)

To some of us this letter and magnifying glass on the NRC is crucial.


The Tikkis

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Please fix the title. I thought somebody said Boxer and Markey were 'mad'.

[bananas]

5. We're supposed to use the exact title but it's too long.

If I delete something else to fit the 'e' in, someone will complain that I didn't use the exact title.

Also, Boxer and Markey probably are mad about this.

[wiggs]

6. In the past, they've called for a license amendment review, a more

thorough investigation and analysis of new design features that have caused many problems there. I hope this letter, which only calls for completion of an initial review and public comment, is not a change from their previous positions.

Only with a license amendment will safety and trust issues be addressed adequately.

[FBaggins]

7. The ink hadn't dried yet before their call was rejected.

They've indiccated that the process can move forward (presenting "no significant hazard&quot ... and likely without public hearing.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, bananas.