NEWS
Federal Commission inspects plant
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by Kirtan Gandhi
Friday, September 26, 2003
The future of nuclear energy in Wisconsin is in jeopardy following Code Red violations issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at a Point Beach Nuclear facility. The code violations came amid inquiries into whether the nuclear power plants in Point Beach and Kewaunee should be given extensions on their existing permits, which end in 2010 and 2013 respectively.
As Viktoria Mitlyng of the NRC noted, there is an ongoing, “comprehensive check of the power plant’s major systems.”
During the most recent inspection, NRC inspectors found a defect in the auxiliary water feed system at the Point Beach Plant. According to Mitlyng, “the plant missed several opportunities to repair the faulty system.”
In light of these findings, the commission issued the plant a red flag, suggesting that immediate action must be taken.
However, Mitlyng was quick to calm fears by assuring the public that “the plant is completely safe” and that the issuance was more of a precautionary measure to prevent any future problems.
Additionally, “the NRC found no need to shut down the plant, as it is still within the NRC threshold for safety,” Mitlyng said.
Nonetheless, many groups in Wisconsin have expressed alarm about the pending citations, claiming it is a sign that nuclear power plants need to be abandoned altogether.
Steve Hiniker of the Citizens’ Utility Board argues that the plant in Point Beach is truly a health and safety concern.
“The power plant at Point Beach is the worst in the country. Out of the four red violations ever issued by the NRC, two have been given to that plant,” Hinker said, adding that the plant is “horribly run.”
This low regard is based on the findings of the NRC.
“The auxiliary water pump, the pump needed to keep the core cool in case of a power failure, has failed twice and could have created a disastrous situation.”
Hiniker was also critical of University of Wisconsin Chancellor John Wiley because of his current push for nuclear power. Hiniker argued that Wiley has “hijacked the reputation of the university to lobby for nuclear power,” adding that Wiley was directly in contact with contractors building a nuclear-waste storage facility in Nevada.
However, Hiniker added that he is not proposing that the plants be shut down immediately, but rather that both Wiley and the state take an objective look at the future of electricity in Wisconsin.
Despite opposition, nuclear supporters argue that nuclear power is the safest and most practical way to produce power.
Rep. Mike Huebsh, R-West Salem, is pushing to make nuclear power-plant construction mainstream. He is leading an effort to pass a bill that would make it unnecessary for new plants to have radioactive-waste-disposal plans prior to being built.
With a new federal disposal site being unearthed in the Yucca Mountains of Nevada, many supporters, including Huebsh, consider nuclear power the best way to meet current power demands. In addition, they contend that nuclear plants are more cost-efficient and create electricity for a cheaper price than their coal and natural-gas counterparts.
Bryan Brosamle of Madison Gas and Electric stated that the plants cannot simply be shut down.
“The two plants produce nearly 20 percent of the power in Wisconsin and must be replaced if they are shut down.”
As Brosamle noted, the grid would not be able to support those customers directly affected by the closure. In terms of energy costs, Brosamle believes that it is too early to measure what the increase or decrease might be if the two plants are shut down.
The fate of the power plants will be determined within the next six months as electric officials from both plants decide which course of action is most economically feasible.
