Generating Approval
NRC to recommend approval of Plant Vogtle application
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Approval of the ESP means that the site is suitable for two new reactors, but does not authorize or guarantee construction of them.

At a public hearing in Waynesboro last Thursday, an auditorium full of citizens and action groups listened as the team explained their findings of the review detailed in a four-inch thick draft Environmental Impact Statement. Such a statement is required by the National Environmental Policy Act prior to any major federal action that will significantly impact the human environment. During the review, NRC staff studied possible impacts of new reactors on the atmosphere, hydrology, water quality, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, radiation protection, land use, socioeconomics and cultural resources.

The hearing offered citizens a chance to make comments on the statement and the potential of new reactors at the site.

Opponents of the new reactors, who outnumbered supporters 3-to-2, focused their comments on nuclear waste disposal, security and long-term effects on water resources. Others voiced concerns about their electric bills, which have already increased twice since last July.

Supporters of the new reactors reiterated the perks Burke County has seen since Plant Vogtle's establishment. Elected officials and area business advocates offered comments on the benefits to the community, economy and educational system. A handful of nuclear organizations announced their support for the expansion of nuclear energy.

Southern Nuclear officials were pleased with the NRC's findings.

"Southern Nuclear agrees with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's preliminary conclusions that there are no environmental impacts that would keep the agency from issuing an Early Site Permit for potential new units at the site," Southern Nuclear spokesperson Beth Thomas said, but stressed that it does not guarantee construction. "It is important to remember that the Early Site Permit is not a commitment to build new units."

Comments made at the hearing will be used when compiling the final draft of the statement to be released in July 2008.

Following the release of the final draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, the NRC will hold another hearing to discuss the Safety Evaluation Report for the site. That report, which focuses on safety and emergency preparedness aspects, is expected to be published in May 2008.

The NRC will then make its final decision on the approval of Plant Vogtle's ESP.

PRO

"I believe in nuclear power, because

I believe in the men and

women who are running the

plant....We want these nuclear reactors

really bad, but not at the

expense of going too fast or overlooking

anything." -- Dick Byne, Waynesboro City Councilman and local farmer

"Having an eight-year-old

daughter and a five-week-old

baby at home, of all things I worry

about for their health and safety,

having two new nuclear reactors

is not even close to being one of

them." --Ashley Roberts, Burke County Chamber of Commerce executive director

"We're not so naive as to believe

that we shouldn't be concerned

about our environment.

Supporting the expansion is a

conscious decision...the benefit

does not blind us." --A.K. Hasan, founder and chairman of CSRA Citizens for Nuclear Energy

ANTI

Sara Barzack, safe energy director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said she observed serious gaps in the review, such as the effect on Georgia rate payers, nuclear waste, low-level waste handling, future security regulations and the impact on water resources given long-term demand.

Mary Olsen, of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, pointed out that two more reactors would make Plant Vogtle the largest nuclear generation site in the United States in a time of a war on terrorism.

"When the water is gone, ladies

and gentlemen, the water is

gone. Our children deserve to

enjoy some sort of recreation in

a God-given area. Money is

good, but Lord have mercy, I love

life." -- Charles Utley, Burke County resident, commenting on water withdrawals from the Savannah River