Decommissioning from the Front Lines: History, Experience, and the Path Forward
Demonstrating the colossal failure of nuclear power, this insightful exploration dives into the challenges and costs of decommissioning nuclear reactors. From underfunded funds to regulatory changes, the journey of decommissioning unfolds, shedding light on the complex issues faced by the industry.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
DECOMMISSIONING FROM THE FRONT LINES HISTORY, EXPERIENCE, AND THE PATH FORWARD Deb Katz Executive Director Citizens Awareness Network Contact: (413) 339-5781 deb@nukebusters.org www.nukebusters.org Twitter: @nukebusters
Decommissioning Demonstrates Colossal Failure of nuclear power Nuclear reactors are toxic waste dumps Cleanup costs skyrocket as surveys uncover greater plumes of contamination Yankee Rowe site never released because of PCB contamination
Underfunded Utility-Owned Decommissioning Funds Yankee Rowe and Connecticut Yankee decom funds substantially underfunded Yankee Rowe cost $39 million to build over $700 million to cleanup CT Yankee decom cost over $1 billion Operators return to the rate base to shore up funding
Underfunded Merchant Reactors: Crisis in Funding 1990s Deregulation of Electricity Separated Generation from Transmission and Delivery Created a Fire Sale on Old Nukes Merchant Plants Sell Power to Utilities or on the Market No Ratebase to Cover Decommissioning Shortfalls No Way to Replenish Decommissioning Funds SAFSTOR: Reactors Mothballed for Decades Concerns about corporate responsibility
NRC and Decommissioning Before Yankee Rowe: Classified as Major Federal Action under NEPA Required Oversight by NRC and EPA Detailed Decom Plans with Clear Commitments Onsite Resident Inspectors Full Public Hearing Rights NRC Subpart D: Cross examination and Discovery
Decommissioning at a Regulation Crossroads Yankee Rowe s Cleanup Deregulated Decommissioning No Longer Considered a Major Federal Action No Detailed Plans Required No On-Site Resident NRC Inspectors Limited Oversight Corporations Can Strip and Ship Components with a 12- page Document NRC Hearing Rights Curtailed Subpart l: No Ability to Cross Examine Witnesses
Decommissioning Options NRC Regulations Provide Three Options: DECON rapid dismantlement SAFSTOR up to 60 years to complete site restoration ENTOMB never released for unrestricted use
Dangers of DECON -- Rapid Dismantlement Higher Worker Exposures Contamination of Site with Hot Particles Potential to Contaminate the Community Higher Rad Waste Disposal Costs Ethical and Environmental Justice Issues Cleaning Up One Community by Contaminating Another
Dangers of SAFSTOR Mothballing Reactor for Decades Loss of Skilled Workforce Contamination Spreads Unchecked Raiding the Decom Trust Fund Corporate Accountability LLC Structure and Parent Company Liability Risk to States and Communities Abandonment of the Site Taxpayers and Ratepayers End Up Paying
Decommissioning: Thorough and Responsible CAN developed our own model to change the debate Planned Decommissioning & Site Remediation (PDSR) Begin immediately upon closure: Retain the Skilled Workforce with Institutional Memory Transfer High-Level Waste to Hardened Dry-Cask Storage Commence Site Surveys and Detailed Planning Remove Non-Essential Buildings Routine Radiological Inspections Environmental and Radiation Monitoring Program Develop Decontamination and Dismantlement Plan
DECOMMISSIONING FROM THE FRONT LINES HISTORY, EXPERIENCE, AND THE PATH FORWARD Deb Katz Executive Director Citizens Awareness Network Contact: (413) 339-5781 deb@nukebusters.org www.nukebusters.org Twitter: @nukebusters
