Even as Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, a senior member of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hails the announcement by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the license for the Palisades Nuclear Plant has been renewed, concern is being voiced by groups that see the license extension as "risky rubberstamping."

Located on a 432-acre site near South Haven, the plant takes its name from the surrounding Lake Michigan barrier dunes that create a "palisades," or, a line of steep cliffs.

Upton had urged the NRC to renew the license when the renewal application was submitted by Nuclear Management Co., in 2005. With the decision, the license is extended until March 24, 2031.

"This announcement is a tremendous victory for southwest Michigan," said Upton. "The Palisades Nuclear Plant is such a valuable member of our community, and I am thrilled it will continue to be a good neighbor and play a vital role for the next 25 years. Nuclear power plays such an important role here in Michigan and throughout the nation."

The plant pays about $6.3 million a year in property taxes to Van Buren County.

Upton said, "As demand for oil continues to multiply across the globe, nuclear power must continue playing a major role in fulfilling America's energy needs. Nuclear power coupled with bio-fuels and other alternative sources of energy, can help foster a new era of both energy independence and reduced pollution."

The coalition opposing the license extension includes three dozen groups in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region. They include Clean Water Action, the League of Women Voters of Michigan, Michigan Environmental Council, the Sierra Club (Michigan Chapter); Don't Waste Michigan (Holland); Nuclear Information and Resource Service; and the West Michigan Environmental Council.

"Palisades likely has the most radiation-embrittled reactor vessel in the country," said Alice Hirt of Don't Waste Michigan. "In an emergency, Palisades' reactor vessel could rupture from Pressurized Thermal Shock-extremely high pressure and dramatic temperature change-leading to a meltdown and catastrophic radiation release that could kill many thousands downwind.

"Palisades needs to be shut down before it melts down," she said.

"We now know that NRC actually stands for Nuclear Rubberstamp Commission," said Kevin Kamps of Nuclear Information and Resource Service in Washington, D.C., "since 2000 NRC has shamefully rubberstamped all 48 applications for reactor license extension that have come before it but Palisades might well be the riskiest rubberstamp yet."

In the nation there are 65 nuclear power plants with a total of 103 nuclear reactors in 31 states. Michigan has a total of three nuclear plants, including two in Southwest Michigan: Palisades and Cook.

The NRC's environmental review concluded that there were no environmental impacts that would preclude renewal of the license for environmental reasons. Public meetings were held near the plant July 28, 2005, and April 5, 2006. After carefully reviewing the plant's safety systems and specifications, the NRC staff concluded there were no safety concerns that would preclude license renewal because the licensee had demonstrated the capability to manage the effects of plant aging.

On. Nov 17, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards - an independent body of technical experts which advises the Commission-issued its recommendation that the operating license for Palisades be renewed.

David Joos, president and chief executive officer of CMS Energy in Jackson, also hailed the license renewal as a major victory for the region.

"The Palisades plant and its employees have a deep commitment to safety, serving customers, and the local economy. Palisades generates about 18 percent of Consumers Energy's electricity and has been supplying safe, low-cost energy to customers since 1971. A proactive maintenance program, major capital investments, and continuous training all contribute to the safe and reliable operation of the plant."

Consumers Energy has agreed to sell the plant to Entergy Corp. and buy the plant's electrical output for 15 years at a price structure that retains the benefits of the low-cost nuclear generation for the utility's 1.8 million customers. The sale is expected to close by May 1.

CMS Energy's principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, owns the plant, which is operated by Nuclear Management Co.

The Allegan County Emergency Management Office, Scott Corbin director, is involved with the Palisades plant security and the Van Buren County Emergency Management Office in conducting exercises throughout the year to handle emergency situations that could develop there.

By Bill Brown
Editor

URL: http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2007/01/25/local_news/3.txt