Markey, Boxer, Sanders introduce three new nuclear safety bills

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1. Senators: Nuclear decommissioning process is flawed

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/206110-senators-nuclear-decommissioning-process-is-flawed

Senators: Nuclear decommissioning process is flawed

By Timothy Cama - 05/14/14 12:43 PM EDT

Senators sharply criticized the federal government’s oversight of decommissioning nuclear power plants, saying it does not ensure a safe process or adequate local involvement.

Three Senators in the Environment and Public Works Committee aired their grievances at a Wednesday morning hearing the day after they introduced three bills to change how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversees decommissioning.

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Boxer, Sanders and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced three bills Tuesday to reform the decommissioning process. They would end exemptions to safety and security requirements until all fuel stored is transferred into dry casks, require fuel to be moved to dry tasks within seven years of the time the decommissioning plan is submitted and guarantee involvement of states and local communities in the planning process.

Markey spoke specifically about the dry cask storage bill, which would reduce the amount of time that spent fuel rods are stored in water tanks, where they are dangerous.

“If an accident or terrorist attack were to occur, it could lead to radiation releases far greater than at Chernobyl or Fukushima,” Markey said.

Republicans at the hearing cautioned against the changes and said there is no reason to criticize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s actions.

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