Monday, December 23, 2019

Fact-check: Five claims about thorium made by Andrew Yang

Fact-check: Five claims about thorium made by Andrew Yang

By John KrzyzaniakNicholas R. Brown, December 18, 2019


Andrew Yang at the 2019 Iowa State Fair.Photo credit: Gage Skidmore
Andrew Yang, like many of the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls, has an ambitious plan to wean America off of fossil fuels. Unlike many of the other candidates, however, a key piece of his plan to address climate change involves harnessing nuclear power—in particular thorium. According to Yang, thorium is “superior to uranium on many levels.” But Yang isn’t alone; thorium boosters have been extolling its supposed virtues for years.

Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, James A. FitzPatrick, R. E. Ginna, LaSalle, Limerick, Nine Mile Point, Peach Bottom, and Quad Cities - Issuance of Amendments to Remove Table of Contents from Technical Specifications (EPID L-2019-LLA-0125)

ML19302E700.pdf

Friday, December 13, 2019

TMI 1 – Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Re: Amendment Request to Remove Permanently Defueled Technical Specification 3/4.1.4 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0250)

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 – Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Re: Amendment Request to Remove Permanently Defueled Technical Specification 3/4.1.4 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0250)
 
ADAMS Accession No. ML19347B031
 

Thursday, December 12, 2019

TMI 1 - Acceptance Of Requested Licensing Action Re: Amendment Request To Remove Cyber Security License Condition (EPID L-2019-LLA-0251)

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Acceptance Of Requested Licensing Action Re: Amendment Request To Remove Cyber Security License Condition (EPID L-2019-LLA-0251)

ADAMS Accession No:  ML19343A787

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Issuance of Relief Request Re: Examination of Standby Liquid Control Nozzle Inside Radius Section in Lieu of Specific ASME Code Requirements (EPID L-2019-LLR-0076)

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Issuance of Relief Request Re: Examination of Standby Liquid Control Nozzle Inside Radius Section in Lieu of Specific ASME Code Requirements (EPID L-2019-LLR-0076)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19330C644

ML19330C644.pdf

TMI-2 Application Approving License Transfer

Dear TMI-2 Trackers,

Posted into ADAMS yesterday (12/2/2019)

Document Title: 

Three Mile Island, Unit 2, Application for Order Approving License Transfer and Conforming License Amendments

Document Type:     Letter
License-Application for Facility Operating License (Amend/Renewal) DKT 50

Document Date:     11/12/2019

Summary of November 20, 2019, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding a Planned Request to Revise the Quality Assurance Program (EPID L-2019-LRM-0086)

Summary of November 20, 2019, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Regarding a Planned Request to Revise the Quality Assurance Program (EPID L-2019-LRM-0086)

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Acceptance Review for Peach Bottom – ISI 4th Interval I4R-63 (EPID L-2019-LLR-0103)

Acceptance Review for Peach Bottom – ISI 4th Interval I4R-63 (EPID L-2019-LLR-0103)

Summary Of the October 29, 2019, Meeting With Talen Energy Regarding A Future License Amendment Request Related To Revising The Dose Consequence Analysis For A Loss-Of-Coolant Accident At Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2

Summary Of the October 29, 2019, Meeting With Talen Energy Regarding A Future License Amendment Request Related To Revising The Dose Consequence Analysis For A Loss-Of-Coolant Accident At Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2

ADAMS Accession No. ML19308A108

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Epstein/TMIA Petition to Intervene and Hearing Request: Re: Exelon's Proposed License Amendment Request for TMI-1

NRC Proceeding "Three Mile Island 50-289 and 50-320 LA"

The Office of the Secretary has received a Submission entitled

"Eric Epstein Petition to Intervene and Hearing Request"

submitted by Eric Epstein who is affiliated with TMI Alert INC. It contains 11 attachment(s).

Epstein_TMI-Alert Motions Motion, (11_12_19)_compressed.pdf

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Peach Bottom - Integrated Inspection Report 05000277/2019003 and 05000278/2019003

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Integrated Inspection Report 05000277/2019003 and 05000278/2019003
ADAMS Accession No.  ML19296A937

Malfunction at Peach Bottom nuclear plant quickly resolved, posing no safety concerns, regulator says | Local News

Malfunction at Peach Bottom nuclear plant quickly resolved, posing no safety concerns, regulator says | Local News | lancasteronline.com

WebPage.pdf

Monday, October 21, 2019

Peach Bottom - Emergency Declared - Now @ 0%

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
10/18/2019 - 10/21/2019

Sunday, October 20, 2019

TMI: Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) and 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(iv) (EPID L-2019-LLE-0009)

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) and 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(iv) (EPID L-2019-LLE-0009)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19259A175

ML19259A175.pdf

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Exelon: Acceptance of License Amendment Request to Delete Decommissioning Trust License Conditions

Subject:  Exelon Generation Company, LLC – Acceptance of License Amendment Request to Delete Decommissioning Trust License Conditions (EPID L-2019-LLA-0185)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19261A226

ML19261A226.pdf

TMI: Relief From Requirements Re: Examination And Testing For Containment Unbonded Post-Tensioning System

Subject: Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 -Relief From The Requirements Of The Asme Code Re: Examination And Testing For Containment Unbonded Post-Tensioning System   (EPID-L-2018-LLR-0132)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19226A023

ML19226A023.pdf

NRC Response to Auditor General on TMI

PDF: NRC Response to AG, (7:31:19).pdf

Friday, September 20, 2019

THREE MILE ISLAND GENERATING STATION UNIT 1 RETIRES FROM SERVICE AFTER 45 YEARS

Employees and community members celebrate its legacy of safe and reliable service 
 
LONDONDERRY TWP, Pa. (September 20, 2019) For the past 45 years, Three Mile Island Generating Station Unit 1 has been safely and reliably powering more than 830,000 homes and businesses with carbon-free energy. That legacy ended at noon today when operators took the TMI Unit 1 reactor offline for the final time, setting a site record of running 709 continuous days, beating the stations previous record of 705 days set in 2009. 
 
The world-class commercial nuclear power facility now enters a new chapter. Over the next few weeks, workers will remove the reactor’s fuel supply and store it safely in the station’s used fuel pool. After that, workers will begin preparing the station for long-term decommissioning. 

“Today we celebrate the proud legacy of TMI Unit 1 and the thousands of employees who shared our commitment to safety, operational excellence and environmental stewardship for nearly five decades,” said Bryan Hanson, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. “At a time when our communities are demanding more clean energy to address climate change, it’s regrettable that state law does not support the continued operation of this safe and reliable source of carbon-free power. It’s critical that we continue to pursue policy reform to prevent other carbon- free nuclear resources from being pushed out of the market by rules that fail to evenly value clean energy resources and at the same time allow emitting resources to pollute for free.” 

Three Mile Island Unit 1 began commercial operation in September 1974. Since Exelon Generation purchased TMI Unit 1 in 2000, the plant has offset more than 95 million metric tons of carbon, the equivalent of keeping nearly 20 million cars off the road. 

Along the way, it’s estimated that the station and its employees contributed more than $3.5 billion into the local economy, including wages, taxes, charitable contributions and local purchasing. The station has been such a landmark in the Londonderry Township community that a portrait of the plant is memorialized on public safety vehicles. 

“We salute Three Mile Island and its employees for the service and partnership they have provided to Londonderry Township and the surrounding communities for 45 years,” said Londonderry Township Manager, Steve Letavic. “This is a tough day for many. However, we look forward to maintaining a strong relationship with those at the facility as it enters into decommissioning.” 
About 300 of Three Mile Island Unit 1’s employees will be staying for the first phase of decommissioning. Other employees are taking on different roles within Exelon companies and still others have elected to retire or move on to other opportunities outside the company. 

### 

Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), is one of the largest, most efficient clean energy producers in the U.S., with a generating capacity of more than 32,000 megawatts. Exelon Generation operates the largest U.S. fleet of carbon-free nuclear plants with more than 19,600 megawatts of capacity from 22 reactors at 13 facilities in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Exelon Generation also operates a diverse mix of wind, solar, landfill gas, hydroelectric, natural gas and oil facilities in 19 states with more than 12,400 megawatts. Exelon Generation has an industry-leading safety record and is an active partner and economic engine in the communities it serves by providing jobs, charitable contributions and tax payments that help towns and regions grow. Follow Exelon Generation on Twitter @ExelonGen, view the Exelon Generation YouTube channel, and visithttp://www.exeloncorp.com/companies/exelon-generation

NRC and FERC Commissioners to Discuss Grid Reliability, Reactor Issues

No: 19-047 September 18, 2019
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200

NRC and FERC Commissioners to Discuss Grid Reliability, Reactor Issues

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will
hold a joint meeting Sept. 25 at NRC headquarters in Rockville, Md.

The meeting, which will begin at 9 a.m. and end at approximately 11:15 a.m., will be held in
the NRC’s Commission Hearing Room at 11555 Rockville Pike in Rockville. Staff members from
both agencies and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation will brief NRC and FERC
Commissioners on topics that include grid reliability, energy storage, operating reactor issues, new
reactor construction oversight, reactor decommissioning, small modular and advanced reactor
activities, and cybersecurity.

The NRC encourages those planning to attend to allow enough time for security screening in
advance of the meeting at the NRC’s One White Flint North entrance, at the corner of Rockville Pike
and Marinelli Road. The NRC is located across the street from the White Flint Metro station. The
NRC will webcast the meeting.

Media Notes: Media are asked to call the NRC Office of Public Affairs at 301-415-8200 in
advance to provide the names of those who will attend the meeting to assure sufficient seating. Seats
on one side of the Commission hearing room will be reserved for accredited members of the media.
Photographers will have limited space at the meeting in which to take photos. Movement must be
kept to a minimum to limit distractions and entry into the inner well closest to the Commission
briefing table will be prohibited.

Peach Bottom: Material Control and Accounting Program Inspection Report

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Material Control and Accounting Program Inspection Report 05000277/2019402 and 05000278/2019402 (Cover Letter Only)

ADAMS Accession No.  ML19260G175
PB.pdf

Criticisms on the NRC's use of Probability Analyses

9/12/2019 - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Public Meeting on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Subsequent License Renewal of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 at Peach Bottom, Delta PA

Criticisms on the use of Probability Analyses 

Peach Bottom relicensing sept 12 2019.pdf

Request For Clarification of Information On Peach Bottom Water Chemistry Program

Download: ML19253D295.pdf

Peach Bottom SLRA Requests For Additional Information

Peach Bottom SLRA Requests For Additional Information - Set 2 May 3, 2019

ADAMS Accession No. ML19249C725

ML19249C725.pdf

BEYOND NUCLEAR, INC.’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE NEW CONTENTION BASED ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENT 10 TO GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL OF PEACH BOTTOM OPERATING LICENSE


BEYOND NUCLEAR, INC.’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE
NEW CONTENTION BASED ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENT 10
TO GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL OF PEACH BOTTOM OPERATING LICENSE




 2019.09.05 Corrected Beyond Nuclear Hearing Request_PG_ re GEIS Supp. 10-1.pdf

Exelon Fleet License Amendment Request to Revise Emergency Action Level RA3

Subject: Braidwood, Byron, Calvert Cliffs, Clinton, Dresden, FitzPatrick, LaSalle, Limerick, Nine Mile, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, Ginna, Three Mile Island, Exelon Fleet License Amendment Request to Revise Emergency Action Level RA3 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0183)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19242B052

ML19242B052.pdf

Peach Bottom: Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000277/2019010 and 05000278/2019010

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000277/2019010 and 05000278/2019010

ADAMS Accession No.  ML19232A305

Peach.pdf

Peach Bottom: 05000277/2019411 and 05000278/2019411

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Security Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000277/2019411 and 05000278/2019411 (Cover Letter Only)

Peach.pdf

Acceptance Review: Susquehanna

Acceptance Review: Susquehanna Units 1 and 2 License Amendment Request for Advanced Framatome Methodologies for ATRIUM 11

ML19234A034.pdf

Peach Bottom: TSTF-500 Implementation

Subject: Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 -Request for Additional Information - TSTF-500 Implementation LAR (EPID L-2018-LLA-0265)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19232A175
PDF icon ML19232A175.pdf

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

TMI: Withdrawal of An Amendment Request (EPID L-2018-LLA-0571)

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Withdrawal of An Amendment Request (EPID L-2018-LLA-0571)

ML19213A069.pdf

TMI: Withdrawal of an Amendment Request (EPID L-2018-LLA-0255)

Subject: Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request (EPID L-2018-LLA-0255)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19213A004

ML19213A004.pdf

NRC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Peach Bottom Subsequent License Renewal


Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 19-036 August 8, 2019
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200


NRC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Peach Bottom Subsequent License Renewal
Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet in Delta, Pa., on Sept. 12 to discuss the agency’s draft Environmental Impact Statement on Exelon Generation Company’s application for an additional 20 years of operation for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Units 2 and 3. The NRC is interested in the public’s views on the draft conclusion: environmental impacts are not great enough to prevent the agency from considering issuance of the renewed licenses.

The NRC will hold the meeting at the Peach Bottom Inn, 6085 Delta Road in Delta, from 6-8 p.m. An NRC open house, from 5-6 p.m., will provide members of the public the opportunity to speak informally with agency staff. Staff presentations at the meeting will describe the environmental review process and the draft findings, and will be followed by a formal public comment period.

Those wanting to register in advance to comment at the meetings should contact David Drucker no later than Aug. 29, by telephone at 800-368-5642 ext. 6223 or via e-mail at david.drucker@nrc.gov. Those requesting to speak may also register at the meeting no later than 5:45 p.m. Individual comments could be limited by the time available and the number of people asking to speak. Individuals with special needs for attending or presenting information at the meetings should contact Mr. Drucker, also no later than Aug. 29.

NRC staff will consider written comments on the draft EIS until Sept. 23, following the publication of a notice in the Federal Register. Please include Docket ID NRC-2018-0130 with your comment, via the regulations.gov website.

Exelon submitted the Peach Bottom subsequent license renewal application on July 10, 2018. The subsequent license renewal process determines whether an operating reactor can extend its license for an additional 20 years (initial license renewals add 20 years to a reactor’s original 40-year license). The application, less proprietary details, is available on the NRC website. In addition, a copy of the draft EIS is available for public inspection at the Whiteford Branch Library, 2407 Whiteford Road in Whiteford, Md.

PB Relicensing: PB EIS Letters

ML19205A211.pdf
ML19205A212.pdf
ML19205A210.pdf

Peach Bottom Relicensing

2019.06.20 Order denying Beyond Nuclear petitiion to intervene.pdf
2019.07.15 Beyond Nuclear Notice of Appeal of LBP-19-05.pdf
2019.07.15 Beyond Nuclear brief on appeal of LBP-19-05.pdf
2019.08.09 NRC Staff Brief in Opposition to Beyond Nuclear Appeal of LBP-19-5.pdf
2019-08-09_ Exelon's Brief In Opposition to Beyond Nuclear's Appeal.pdf

Susquehanna: Integrated Inspection Report 05000387/2019002 AND 05000388/2019002

SUBJECT: SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 – INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000387/2019002 AND 05000388/2019002

SUS2019_002.pdf

Peach Bottom: Integrated Inspection Report 05000277/2019002 AND 05000278/2019002

SUBJECT: PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION, UNITS 2 AND 3 – INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000277/2019002 AND 05000278/2019002

PBIR2019-002.pdf

TMI: Integrated Inspection Report 05000289/2019002

SUBJECT: THREE MILE ISLAND NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 1 – INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000289/2019002

TMI.pdf

Monday, August 12, 2019

Peach Bottom: Environmental Impact Statement - SHPO

Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Subsequent License Renewal of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - SHPO.

ML19205A210.pdf

Peach Bottom: Environmental Impact Statement - ACHP

Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Subsequent License Renewal of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - ACHP.

ML19205A212.pdf

Peach Bottom: Environmental Impact Statement

Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Subsequent License Renewal of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3.

ML19205A211.pdf

NRC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Peach Bottom Subsequent License Renewal

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: 19-036 August 8, 2019
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200

NRC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Peach Bottom Subsequent License Renewal

Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet in Delta, Pa., on Sept. 12 to discuss the agency’s draft Environmental Impact Statement on Exelon Generation Company’s application for an additional 20 years of operation for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Units 2 and 3. The NRC is interested in the public’s views on the draft conclusion: environmental impacts are not great enough to prevent the agency from considering issuance of the renewed licenses.
 
The NRC will hold the meeting at the Peach Bottom Inn, 6085 Delta Road in Delta, from 6-8 p.m. An NRC open house, from 5-6 p.m., will provide members of the public the opportunity to speak informally with agency staff. Staff presentations at the meeting will describe the environmental review process and the draft findings, and will be followed by a formal public comment period.
 
Those wanting to register in advance to comment at the meetings should contact David Drucker no later than Aug. 29, by telephone at 800-368-5642 ext. 6223 or via e-mail at david.drucker@nrc.gov. Those requesting to speak may also register at the meeting no later than 5:45 p.m. Individual comments could be limited by the time available and the number of people asking to speak. Individuals with special needs for attending or presenting information at the meetings should contact Mr. Drucker, also no later than Aug. 29.
 
NRC staff will consider written comments on the draft EIS until Sept. 23, following the publication of a notice in the Federal Register. Please include Docket ID NRC-2018-0130 with your comment, via the regulations.gov website.
 
Exelon submitted the Peach Bottom subsequent license renewal application on July 10, 2018. The subsequent license renewal process determines whether an operating reactor can extend its license for an additional 20 years (initial license renewals add 20 years to a reactor’s original 40-year license). The application, less proprietary details, is available on the NRC website. In addition, a copy of the draft EIS is available for public inspection at the Whiteford Branch Library, 2407 Whiteford Road in Whiteford, Md.
 

Peach Bottom: Schedule for License Renewal Application

SCHEDULE REVISION FOR THE REVIEW OF THE PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION UNITS 2 and 3 SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (EPID NOS. L-2018-RNW-0012 / L-2018-RNW-0013)

ML19210C571.pdf

Peach Bottom: Environmental Scoping Summary

ISSUANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING SUMMARY REPORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE STAFF’S REVIEW OF THE PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION UNITS 2 AND 3 SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (EPID NO. L-2018-RNW-0013)

ML19037A348.pdf

Exelon: Acceptance of Fleete License Ammendment


Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Acceptance of Fleet License Amendment Request to Adopt TSTF-563 (EPID L-2019-LLA-0131) 

Exelon_ML19207A068.pdf

Peach Bottom: Environmental Scoping Report

Download: PB Scoping, (7:25:19).pdf

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Proposed Alternative To Use ASME Code Cases N-878 And N-880

Subject: Braidwood, Byron, Calvert Cliffs, Clinton, Dresden, FitzPatrick, LaSalle, Limerick, Nine Mile, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, Ginna, Three Mile Island- Proposed Alternative To Use ASME Code Cases N-878 And N-880 (EPID L-2018-LLR-0077)

ADAMS Accession No. ML19192A244.pdf

Supplemental Information Needed to Proposed Alternative to Use ASME Code Case N-879

Subject: Braidwood 1 & 2; Byron 1 & 2; Calvert Cliffs 1 & 2; Clinton 1; Lasalle 1 & 2; Limerick 1 & 2; Nine Mile Point 2; Three Mile Point 1 - Supplemental Information Needed to Proposed Alternative to Use ASME Code Case N-879 (EPID L-2019-LLR-0037)

ADAMS Accession No.  ML19179A061.pdf

Official: TMI decommissioning could take decades

From the York Dispatch:
Three Mile Island's operating nuclear reactor is shutting down in September, but its towers will mark the skyline for decades.
The option of SAFSTOR — which would put the Dauphin County plant in an extended state of dormancy until 2075 — is not uncommon for decommissioning, according to officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Read more

Ohio nuclear bailout bill held up because of lawmaker absences

From cleveland.com:
After hours of debates, negotiation and votes, Ohio lawmakers prepared to give final approval to high-profile legislation to gut Ohio’s green-energy mandates and create large public subsidies for nuclear and coal plants.
But there was one problem: because four “yes” votes in the House were gone, supporters fell one vote short Wednesday of getting the 50-vote majority needed to send House Bill 6 to Gov. Mike DeWine, who has indicated support for the measure.
Read more

Feds outline plan for Three Mile Island shutdown

From ABC27:
With Three Mile Island shutting down operations by Sept. 30, we’re getting details on how it will work and what it means for people living nearby.
During a public webinar Tuesday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission outlined the plan to shut down TMI Unit 1.
“Decommissioning a nuclear power plant is more akin to a marathon than a sprint,” NRC senior project manager Jack Parrott said.
Read more

Public comment sought in TMI decommissioning

From the York Dispatch:
Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 nuclear power reactor would not undergo cleanup for about 56 years, according to a plan outlined in a report on the plant’s decommissioning process.
The unit, owned by Exelon Generation, would cease operations permanently at the end of September, but decommissioning operations would not start until 2075 and site restoration would not begin until 2079 — 100 years after the partial meltdown at TMI Reactor 2.

FERC Dramatically Revises US Electricity Generating Predictions

From Clean Technica:
The United States’ Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has apparently “dramatically revised” its three-year forecast for changes in the country’s electrical generating capacity mix, according to the SUN DAY Campaign, with sharp declines expected for fossil fuel and nuclear generation offset by even stronger growth in renewable energy.

NRC to Conduct Public Webinar on July 16 to Discuss Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Topics


No: I-19-016
July 8, 2019
Contact:
Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330
Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331

NRC to Conduct Public Webinar on July 16 to Discuss Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Topics 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will present a webinar for interested members of the public on July 16 regarding the decommissioning of the Three Mile Island 1 nuclear power plant, located in Londonderry, Pa.

The purpose of the webinar is to provide key facts about the decommissioning process and how the NRC regulates such activities through on-site inspections and other reviews.
The webinar will begin at 1 p.m. Participants will be able to view slides prepared by NRC staff and ask questions in writing via a web page set up to host the session. Online registration is required to take part.

The NRC will also hold a public meeting in Hershey, Pa., on July 23 to discuss and accept public comments on Exelon’s Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report for Three Mile Island 1, which calls for placing the plant into long-term storage before dismantlement and decontamination work takes place. A copy of the report can be found on the NRC website. 

Three Mile Island 1 is scheduled to permanently cease operations by Sept. 30, 2019. 

The adjacent Three Mile Island 2 plant did not return to service following the March 1979 accident. It has a different owner and a PSDAR for that unit was submitted to the NRC in
June 2013.

June 4 Public Meeting w/Exelon regarding Safety Relief Valve Test Intervals

Blake:

I was on the line along with two employees from the PA DEP from 10:30 to 10:50 listening to dead air. Out of concern and curiosity, how long did the presentation proceed before the NRC realized the phone was not working?

Not only was the public deprived of the opportunity to ask  questions of Exelon and the NRC, but the revised slides - which were materially different - were not made available prior to the failed public broadcast.

Does this event count as an official pre-application meeting?

I wanted to point out the irony of how a basic malfunction undermines the licensee’s assertion of the benefits of saving both "time and effort.” This type of avoidable malfunction actually underscores the folly of allowing Exelon to skip future reviews.

I have enclosed several questions.

1) How was the issue of aging factored into the BWR Fleet MSSV/SRV analyses?

2)  Re: Old p.14 At what point or at what time would pressure tolerances be compromised?

3)  Re: Old 16 p. Does the request period include license extensions? Please quantify "time” and “effort,” and at on point do “time” and effort” become negligible?

4) How are these relief requests measured against “defense in depth” criteria?

5) Please prepare a comparison and contrasts of Exelon’s presentations for the Pre-Application meeting.

Thanks in advance to your attention to this most important matter.

Sincerely,
Eric Epstein, Chairman, TMI-Alert

ML19162A027.pdf

Saturday, June 22, 2019

NRC Approves License Transfer for Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant


The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the transfer of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station license from Exelon Generation Co. to Oyster Creek Environmental Protection, as owner, and Holtec Decommissioning International, as decommissioning operator. 

The three companies requested the license transfer in August 2018. Once the purchase is finalized, as previously announced, OCEP and HDI plan to expedite decommissioning and dismantling of the plant. The license transfer includes the dry cask spent fuel storage installation at Oyster Creek. The NRC order approving the license transfer is effective immediately, but the license transfer will not be finalized until the successful completion of the transaction between Exelon, OCEP and HDI. At that point, the NRC will issue a license amendment reflecting completion of the transfer.

Read more: 19-027.pdf

NRC Names New Resident Inspector at Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant


Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials in King of Prussia, Pa., have selected Matt Rossi as the agency’s resident inspector at Talen Energy’s Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

Rossi joins Senior Resident Inspector Laura Micewski at the two-unit site in Berwick, Pa.

Read more: 19-014.i.pdf

Monday, June 17, 2019

RETREAT FROM TIMELY CLEANUP: EXELON GENERATION FILES THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1 DECOMMISSIONING REPORT WITH NRC

 "Exelon is retreating from a timely cleanup of TMI-1, and this announcement means the damaged reactor - TM-2 - will not be cleaned up until almost 100 years after the meltdown."

"Exelon has made a decision to abandon the community, cut staffing and not use a highly trained workforce to clean up TMI-1 and TMI-2."

"TMI is not suitable to continue serving as a high-level radioactive waste site, and this announcement strands 1,200 metric tons of nuclear garbage and countless employees."

Eric Epstein, Chairman, TMI-Alert
717-635-8615
 

EXELON GENERATION FILES THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1 DECOMMISSIONING REPORT WITH NRC

Unit 1 reactor to enter long-term storage after final shutdown in Sept., absent needed market or policy reforms

MIDDLETOWN, PA (April 5, 2019) — Exelon Generation, owner and operator of the Three Mile Island (TMI) Unit 1 nuclear energy facility, today filed the federally required Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR) detailing plans for the plant after its final shutdown, scheduled Sept. 2019.

“Even while we continue to safely operate Three Mile Island at industry-leading levels, we have a responsibility to prepare the plant, along with our community and our employees, for decommissioning,” said TMI Unit 1 Site Vice President Edward Callan. “At the same time, we are actively engaged with stakeholders and policymakers on a solution to preserve Pennsylvania’s nuclear facilities and the clean, reliable energy and good-paying jobs they provide — a solution that will maintain nuclear energy’s $2 billion annual contribution to the state’s economy and its approximately 16,000 direct and indirect Pennsylvania jobs. However, time is not on our side.”

In the filing with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Exelon Generation selected “SAFSTOR,” one of three federally allowed decommissioning options for the plant, and outlined a plan to dismantle large components, including the station’s cooling towers, beginning in 2074. The SAFSTOR option provides a safer environment for our decommissioning workforce by allowing additional time for normal radioactive decay, which results in less waste and lower radiation exposure.

Used nuclear fuel will be transitioned into the spent fuel pool and then moved to dry cask storage by the end of 2022, where it will be protected in a hardened facility with multiple layers of structural, human and electronic security. Facility staffing will decrease in three phases from 675 employees in 2017 when Exelon announced the plant’s premature retirement to 50 full-time employees in 2022, absent market or policy reform.

The current market design fails to properly recognize the significant environmental and resiliency attributes associated with the carbon-free, reliable energy generated at TMI and nuclear plants across the Commonwealth. Absent action in the coming months by Pennsylvania policymakers, the loss of nuclear plants will increase air pollution, compromise the resiliency of the electric grid, raise energy prices for consumers, eliminate thousands of good-paying local jobs and weaken the state’s economy.

Today’s decommissioning report filing is required by the NRC as part of the process to shut down the plant; however, the plant will remain operating if a policy solution is enacted.

# # #

About Exelon Generation
Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), is one of the largest, most efficient clean energy producers in the U.S., with a generating capacity of more than 32,000 megawatts. Exelon Generation operates the largest U.S. fleet of carbon-free nuclear plants with more than 19,600 megawatts of capacity from 22 reactors at 13 facilities in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Exelon Generation also operates a diverse mix of wind, solar, landfill gas, hydroelectric, natural gas and oil facilities in 19 states with more than 12,400 megawatts. Exelon Generation has an industry-leading safety record and is an active partner and economic engine in the communities it serves by providing jobs, charitable contributions and tax payments that help towns and regions grow. Follow Exelon Generation on Twitter @ExelonGen, view the Exelon Generation YouTube channel, and visit

How many times are we going to bailout Three Mile Island? | Opinion

It wasn’t that long ago when Pennsylvania legislators proclaimed that the market was best suited to determine what energy technologies should move Pennsylvania forward.

And it wasn’t that long ago that nuclear power generators, after receiving $9 billion from ratepayers, embraced the marketplace and deregulation.

Now two nuclear corporations, Illinois-based Exelon Energy and Ohio-based First Energy no longer believe in the Pennsylvania marketplace. These corporations want to charge consumers a nuclear tax, and ship the profits to Illinois and Ohio. Not the good neighbor policy most of us had in mind.

Read more

We are fortunate TMI will be shutting down: Letter to the Editor

Dream of the time when citizens know we live with truth and justice in a safe and secure energy future. I do. 

Together, I believe we’re committed to clean air and water, protecting our environment, American workers and American companies. May balancing our stewardship of the environment with the needs of a growing economy not ignore the health and safety of the public regarding Three Mile Island and nuclear energy. 
 

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Lawmakers are right not to fall for Exelon’s heavy-handed tactics | Opinion

It wasn’t too hard to read between the lines to find the clear message that Chicago-based Exelon Energy sent to state lawmakers on Wednesday: That’s a nice nuclear plant you got there. It’d be a shame if anything happened to it.

“Although we see strong support in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania to reduce carbon emissions and maintain the environmental and economic benefits provided by nuclear energy, we don’t see a path forward for policy changes before the June 1 fuel purchasing deadline for [Three Mile Island],” Exelon representative Kathleen Barron said in a statement obtained by the Press & Journal in Middletown.

Read more

TMI watchdog group on closure: 'It’s not a happy time .. nobody is spiking the ball in the end zone'

"A “middle way” is doable that can avert the worst impacts of the September shutdown of Three Mile Island that Exelon says is inevitable, says Eric Epstein, chairman of the watchdog group TMI Alert.
 
"In November, TMI Alert submitted a plan that Epstein describes as a “community option” regarding the future shutdown of TMI, where the plant is cleaned up immediately, the tax base and plant staffing levels are preserved, and local municipalities and counties continue to receive reimbursement for emergency planning and radiation monitoring."
 

THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1 TO SHUT DOWN BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019


Contact:
Dave Marcheskie
Three Mile Island, Sr. Communications Mgr.
717-579-0229
David.Marcheskie@exeloncorp.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THREE MILE ISLAND UNIT 1 TO SHUT DOWN BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

MIDDLETOWN, PA (May 8, 2019) — Exelon Generation announced today that Three Mile Island Generating Station Unit 1 (TMI) will shut down by Sept. 30, 2019, as previously announced in May 2017. With only three legislative session days remaining in May and no action taken to advance House Bill 11 or Senate Bill 510, it is clear a state policy solution will not be enacted before June 1, in time to reverse the premature retirement of the plant.
“Today is a difficult day for our employees, who were hopeful that state policymakers would support valuing carbon-free nuclear energy the same way they value other forms of clean energy in time to save TMI from a premature closure,” said Bryan Hanson, Exelon senior vice president and chief nuclear officer.
“I want to thank the hundreds of men and women who will continue to safely operate TMI through September. We will offer a position elsewhere in Exelon to every employee who wishes to stay with the company and is willing to relocate, and we will do all we can to support the community, the employees and their families during this difficult period,” Hanson added.
Exelon Generation previously announced that the station would prematurely shut down, absent policy reform, due to economic challenges and market flaws that fail to recognize the environmental and resiliency benefits from TMI and other zero-carbon nuclear energy plants across the Commonwealth.
“Although we see strong support in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania to reduce carbon emissions and maintain the environmental and economic benefits provided by nuclear energy, we don’t see a path forward for policy changes before the June 1 fuel purchasing deadline for TMI,” said Kathleen Barrón, Exelon senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs and public policy. “While TMI will close in September as planned, the state has eight other zero-carbon nuclear units that provide around-the-clock clean energy, avoiding millions of tons of carbon emissions every year. We will continue to work with the legislature and all stakeholders to enact policies that will secure a clean energy future for all Pennsylvanians.”
Exelon Generation’s highly trained employees will continue to operate the plant at world-class levels of excellence through September, with staff transitions expected within six months of the plant’s final shut down.
Over the past two years, Exelon Generation has worked actively with TMI employees to map them to other positions, and many have already accepted placement elsewhere within the company. Exelon Generation will continue to work with employees to support them during this transition.
Last month, Exelon Generation filed the federally required Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report detailing plans for TMI after its final shutdown, including transitioning staff in three phases down to 50 full-time employees by 2022. In the filing, Exelon Generation selected “SAFSTOR,” one of three decommissioning options for the plant, and outlined a plan to dismantle large components, including the station’s cooling towers, beginning in 2074.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WHERE: TMI Training Center
WHEN: 10am – 2pm
CONTACTS:
Dave Marcheskie
717-579-0229
Dave.marcheskie@exeloncorp.com

Liz Williamson
610-765-5530