Thursday, August 18, 2011

FPL turning the screws on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ... by gimleteye

Why isn't the public more engaged on the spectacle of FPL trying to ram two new nuclear power plants at Turkey Point? FPL is arguing before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the facts of the disaster at Fukushima should be disqualified from consideration of new permits at Turkey Point and is dismissive of the evacuation crisis that would quickly materialize, in the opinion of sound thinkers like South Miami Mayor and FIU scientist Philip Stoddard, should a disaster occur.

It took five days for the NRC to release a report on the recent inadvertent shutdown of one of the existing reactors at Turkey Point. The most relevant information from Fukushima is that both the Japanese government and the power plant owner failed to accurately inform the public of the risks as the disaster was unfolding. Given the track record of FPL and the inability of local government to stand up for the public, it is guaranteed that people will be collateral damage in the event of a nuclear emergency at Turkey Point.

Although it is longish and somewhat technical, consider reading the recent submittal by Citizens Allied for Safe Energy. The document makes the argument why the Fukushima experience is relevant, particularly in relation to the unique factors involving Turkey Point: Revised CASE Motion To Reconsider.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The comparison multiply comments about the 'Cane fiasco to 0 comments on this piece shows where our priorities lie. I cannot believe that this story was buried on page 5 of section B in the Miami Herald, directly across from the obituaries! This is the story that should be on page 1. Instead, it is being totally ignored while we all worry about which football player slept with which hooker. Jezz!

Anonymous said...

Placement near obits, a subtle implication that public influence is dead perhaps?

David said...

What is the expectation; FPL will issue a report saying that they will lie to the public if there is an accident and their application for 2 new reactors should be denied on that basis?