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Environment
Monday, January 2, 2012
Davis-Besse opponents suffer setback
Court rules against re-licensing of power plant
by WKSU's KABIR BHATIA |
Reporter
Kabir Bhatia | | |
| Groups opposing the re-licensing of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant were dealt a blow last week. But as WKSU’s Kabir Bhatia reports, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission still has unresolved issues before it decides to extend the life of the plant on Lake Erie for another 20 years. |
Davis-Besse opponents suffer setbackOther options:  MP3 Download (1:25)
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Beyond Nuclear is among the groups contesting the proposed license renewal. They contend that cracks discovered last year in Davis-Besse’s concrete shield are due to aging concrete – and a sign of more trouble to come.
Akron-based FirstEnergy says the cracks at its reactor were caused by the blizzard of 1978, and that they’ve been weather-sealed and will be subject to regular inspections.
The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board said last week that relicensing opponents could not connect the dots between the cracks and the structure's age.
Kevin Kamps, a radioactive-waste specialist for Beyond Nuclear, says the board also rejected an analysis of what would happen in the event of a severe accident at the plant east of Toledo.
“I would say that, looking at a document like the Japanese Parliament report on the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe, where they found that collusion between government and industry was actually the root cause of the catastrophe, that that very much applies to Davis-Besse.”
Kamps says an environmental impact statement is due in February, at which time the group will have another opportunity to file objections. And the board has yet to address a court order regarding the potential environmental impact of on-site radioactive waste storage.
Davis-Besse has had repeated problems over its 34 years of operation that forced it to shut down for periods ranging from weeks to years. Those include acid nearly eating a hole though the reactor head, and cracks appearing just a few years later in its replacement. |
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