"Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth gets another 20 years; After review, commission votes to renew license, even as safety questions linger" by David Abel | Globe Staff, May 25, 2012
Concluding the longest-ever review of a US nuclear power plant’s request for a new license, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Friday it had decided to allow the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth to produce energy for another 20 years.
The 3-1 vote, with one commissioner recusing himself because of a conflict, was called “troubling’’ by Governor Deval Patrick.
It came a day after Gregory B. Jaczko, commission chairman, released
his decision opposing the renewal of Pilgrim’s license. Jaczko, who
announced his resignation this week after a tumultuous three-year term,
urged fellow commissioners to wait for the resolution of remaining
appeals by opponents of the license extension.
Pilgrim opponents have become more vocal since a massive earthquake and tsunami last year caused one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters at a similarly designed plant in Fukushima, Japan.
Related: The Silver Lining In Japan's Nuclear Cloud
Well, not really.
“The NRC’s decision to approve the renewal of Pilgrim’s operating license without addressing public and environmental safety issues is extremely troubling,’’ Patrick said in a statement. “I called for a complete and transparent evaluation of the outstanding concerns, because I believe it’s in the public’s best interest. Renewing the license before those concerns are alleviated is irresponsible and misguided.’’
Sometimes I'm happy she lost to Brown.
Related:
Coakley Behind the Curve
Three Cheers For Coakley
Coakley Caves
Her options are limited?
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And the vote opposed?
"Official opposes Plymouth nuclear plant license" by David Abel | Globe Staff, May 24, 2012
Opponents of renewing Pilgrim’s license said they expect the full commission to outvote Gregory B. Jaczko, the controversial chairman who announced his resignation this week.
He must have uttered truth somewhere along the line.
Jaczko’s vote was widely seen as a protest of the commission’s stance on the Pilgrim plant.
In the license renewal process, the commissioners submit decisions in writing that are tabulated by a secretary and released together. But Jaczko — who has been an outspoken advocate for reforms and a lightening rod for criticism in the industry — made his vote public....
Jaczko announced his resignation Monday after a tumultuous three-year tenure in which he pushed for sweeping safety reforms but was criticized for an overly aggressive management style....
It is not the first time Jaczko has dissented. In the past two months, he was the lone vote of the five commissioners against renewing licenses for plants in South Carolina and Georgia, arguing that more needed to be done to maintain safety in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters at a plant in Japan....
Related: An Energetic Obama
Japan Makes AmeriKan Media Melt Down
AmeriKan Media Missing Most Important Story of Our Lives
Wouldn't be the first time, would it?
Entergy Corp., the Louisiana company that has run the plant since 1999, has sparked a raft of protests and lawsuits since it sought to renew its operating license. Company officials did not return calls for comment.
Pilgrim opponents argue that Entergy cannot do enough to ensure safety, given what they view as the intrinsic danger of nuclear plants, especially one 35 miles from Boston and with nearly 5 million people living and working within a 50-mile radius.
They contend that commissioners should not renew Pilgrim’s license because of aging pipes beneath the plant that may leak radioactive liquids, problems with electrical cables that transmit power to and from the plant, and the lack of a sufficient cleanup plan in the event of a radiation leak.
Like what happened just up the road in Vermont.
Also see: Pilgrim's Problems
Contract talks stall at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
Entergy, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station union to resume contract talks
N-plant workers to take a strike vote
Looks like Pilgrim has lots of problems.
Update: Pilgrim workers to vote on new union contract
“All the NRC commissioners except Chairman Jaczko have caved to industry and political pressure and abandoned the NRC’s own procedure that requires hearings on a license renewal application is completed before license renewal is granted,” said Mary Lampert, director of Pilgrim Watch, who has long called for the plant to be closed....
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"Colleagues had found fault with Jaczko’s manner of leadership" by Matthew Daly Associated Press / May 22, 2012
WASHINGTON — The embattled chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission resigned Monday after a tumultuous three-year tenure in which he pushed for sweeping safety reforms but came under fire for an unyielding management style that fellow commissioners and agency employees described as bullying.
Also see: Yucky Yucca
Gregory Jaczko stepped down ahead of a potentially blistering report due soon from the agency’s inspector general, which has been investigating his actions for more than a year. Jaczko, 41, led a strong response to the nuclear disaster in Japan and was a favorite of industry watchdogs, who called his emphasis on safety a refreshing change from previous agency chiefs who were close to the nuclear industry or who came from it.
And thus his "management style" is slandered and he is called a bully.
But scientists, fellow commissioners, and many rank-and-file staffers said Jaczko had created a chilled working environment at the NRC, which oversees safety at the nation’s commercial nuclear reactors.
In an extraordinary public rebuke, four fellow commissioners sat next to Jaczko last December and told Congress he was an intimidating bully whose actions could compromise the nation’s nuclear safety. The four commissioners said women at the agency felt especially threatened.
The guy most concerned about safety compromising it? This looks like a SMEAR JOB to ME!
The commissioners — two Democrats and two Republicans — sent a letter to the White House last fall expressing ‘‘grave concern’’ about Jaczko’ s actions, which they said were ‘‘causing serious damage’’ to the commission.
No disciplinary action was taken against Jaczko, who strongly denied the allegations. An inspector general’s report released last summer said Jaczko had intimidated staff members who disagreed with him and withheld information from members of the commission to manipulate their decisions on critical votes.
Oh, he was acting like a newspaper.
A follow-up report is due in the next few weeks. Jaczko said in a written statement that it was the right time to step down, adding that he hoped his successor would keep a strong focus on safety. Jaczko said he will continue to lead the commission until his successor is confirmed.
Jaczko did not mention the bullying allegations in his statement, but said he was ‘‘truly humbled by the agency’s success’’ in responding to issues ranging from the Japan crisis to severe incidents at US reactors caused by flooding, earthquakes, and tornadoes....
Jaczko, a Democrat and former aide to Harry Reid of Nevada, the Senate majority leader, was the agency’s public face during its response last year to an earthquake and tsunami that triggered nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan....
Sorry to see you go, Jackzo.
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Meanwhile, out in my neck of the woods:
"NRC officials to visit Vt. talk about Vt. Yankee" May 23, 2012
BRATTLEBORO, Vt.—Officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are coming to Vermont to talk about their annual safety assessment of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. NRC officials will be on hand Wednesday to talk with members of the public one-on-one in what they're calling an open house beginning at 5:30 p.m. on May 23 at Brattleboro Union High School. Beginning at 7 p.m., they'll convene a more formal public meeting where members of the public will be invited to ask questions. The NRC says Vermont Yankee got good safety grades over the past year, with no issues presenting more than very low safety significance.
Just ignore the lies and the cancer that soaked into the soil and leached into the river.
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Also see: Around New England: No Veracity in Vermont
Around New England: Vermont Votes Yankee Down
The Boston Globe Can Not Say a Lie
But they sure can tell 'em!
Or not: Main Omissions by the Boston Globe
