Indian Point license renewal should have escape clause

Indian Point license renewal should have escape clause
By ALBERT BOUTROSS
(Original publication: August 16, 2007)
I understand that we are in a 60-day period for public comment before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission decides whether to approve Entergy Nuclear Northeast's application to extend the operating licenses for the nuclear power plants, Indian Point 2 and Indian Point 3, for 20 years.
Many people strongly object to the presence of Indian Point at Buchanan as a terrible disaster waiting to happen, such as happened in the Chernobyl nuclear facility in Russia years ago that claimed tens of thousands of lives over subsequent years. We have 50 million people in the disaster range, which speaks to the irresponsibility of locating these plants so close to New York City in the first place.
From years of debate on the subject, it has been revealed that the two megawatts of electric power generated by the Indian Point power plants cannot easily be replaced by alternate sources of electric power, such as gas-powered turbines. We need this level of power for our current lifestyle, such as air conditioning, which is essential. Therefore, the 60-day window we now have in which to speak up can be used to initiate planning the replacement energy source or sources.
Consequently, while it is obviously necessary to continue operation of Indian Point nuclear plants, what we need, in my opinion, is an "escape clause" in the renewal document that would permit work to proceed in researching and building the alternate sources in parallel with the operation of the plants. Then, at the appropriate time, the escape clause could be exercised so as to permit the gradual transition from the Indian Point nuclear facility to the alternate sources, as they become available.
If we wait for another 20 years to begin replacement, it likely will never get done.
I suggest that we plan to obtain the full two megawatts of replacement power from the power authorities surrounding the New York metropolitan area via the power grid, such as upstate New York, the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. This source is currently used when needed to provide backup, but I understand that it does not have two-kilo-megawatt capacity full time. However, by substantially upgrading the transmission lines of the power grid and its infrastructure, and by adding nuclear and other plants in more remote areas of the power grid, it would then be possible to supply the 2,000 megawatts on a permanent basis.
It should be noted that in this time when the safety of bridges has come under scrutiny, the current state of the power grid in America has also been rated "D" for "Sufficiency." The need for planning and investment in upgrading our infrastructure has become more urgent.
Aside from upgrading the power grid infrastructure, an additional major problem is the disposition of the spent fuel pool at Indian Point. The original plan to dispose of the fuel rods was to ship them to Nevada and bury them at Yucca Mountain. However, Nevada has expressed its displeasure over that part of the plan and prevents us from doing so.
The solution to the problem of the spent fuel rods, as I understand it, is to place them in oak casks lined with concrete in which they can safely remain indefinitely.
Therefore, I urge all responsible parties in government and industry to join together in an concerted effort to begin implementing a replacement plan. Why not this one?
The writer lives in Yorktown Heights.
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Dear Albert I like your ideas, especially the part about the " escape clause ". There was a very entertaining episode of " THE TWILIGHT ZONE" but I hope that has nothing to do with Indian Point. I doubt the members of PEON ( PRO ENTERGY and OPENLY NUCLEAR ) will go for your solutions. They already feel the plant works perfectly and see no reason for change. I have called for a much shorter license, say 5 years but PEON wants 20 or nothing! Be prepared Albert. PEON believes it's their way or the highway. The word "COMPROMISE" does not exist in their dictionary. I can just see their long winded response now. According to PEON, everybody is happy with Indian Point and NOBODY should dare criticize the way Entergy runs it. So sit back, and stand by for heavy rolls! Albert, thanks for your input. It was a breath of fresh air. .........................................PLUTONIUM IS FOREVER............................
Posted by: ball on Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:08 pm