Lautenberg Wants Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Safety Questions Answered

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) wants the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address safety issues at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station following super-storm Sandy. Today, Lautenberg fired off a letter to NRC chairperson Allison Macfarlane saying, “Three safety concerns have arisen at Oyster Creek in Ocean County, New Jersey, in the wake of Sandy.”

The NRC reported that during the storm, many of the facility's emergency sirens failed to operate and water levels rose in the intake structure. A subsequent inspection also found a small leak in the cooling system.

Lautenberg, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the NRC writes, “The NRC has an obligation not only to ensure the safe operation of nuclear facilities like Oyster Creek, but also to inform affected communities about steps being taken to address safety concerns identified by the agency.”

Lautenberg is asking  the NRC to provide him with their plans to review or update Oyster Creek’s emergency disaster plans to incorporate lessons learned from super-storm Sandy, including changes in storm surge and flooding potential.