Economic and Reliability Consequences Needing Evaluation
1. HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE – Since 1982 California has waited for the federal government to assume their responsibility and resolved long-term offsite storage of highly radioactive waste. Current plans to leave on our coast for 60-300 is irresponsible and will likely involved major funding and continued risk.
2. NO HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE: When buying or selling property within 50 miles of San Onofre, it should be disclosed that no insurance (home or business) is available at any price and that federal liability limits are $12.6 billion (there are currently over $150 billion in claims in Japan)
3. EMERGENCY EVACUATION ZONES: Currently the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has ruled that 12 miles for emergency planning is adequate, yet the same NRC recommended that U.S. citizens evacuate out 50 miles in Japan. If zones are extended what is the cost and who will be tasked with letting homebuyers know of this zone?
4. MARINE LIFE: The EPA is now requiring alternatives to the current cooling plan at all nuclear reactors. At SONGS this could entail: drilling under I-5, digging under sea wall to install four 12’ tubes to carry water, building a huge desalination plant (the largest in U.S.), and construct several 570’ tall cooling towers. The destruction of marine life (important to coastal buyers) is also impacted by the next point:
5. SEISMIC STUDIES: California has directed both PG&E and SCE to undergo updated seismic studies. Current costs are $64 million for each site, but in 2012 the Coastal Commission denied a permit due to marine life devastation.
California’s economy, the lives and livelihoods of our residents and businesses are at risk. Responsibly phasing out and replacing 4400 baseload megawatts require a thoughtful and informed process. Understanding the full costs of continued investments in aging reactors, and nuclear waste sites on our fragile coast is not pro or anti-nuclear, it’s just good sense.
Donations welcome
http://www.a4nr.org
Rochelle Becker
PO 1328, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
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