During Palisades refueling shutdown, flaws discovered in control rod drive housings

[kristopher]

1. "human health was outside the scope of their assessments" says NRC

A stunning statement by Union of Concerned Scientists staff nuclear expert David Lochbaum:

"After reviewing the 300-plus page draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the first U.S. nuclear plant seeking a 20-year license extension, I asked the NRC why they had not addressed potential human health consequences, aside from a single, short paragraph about electromagnetic fields from the transmission lines. I will never forget and never understand their answer - human health was outside the scope of their assessments. I commend the World Business Academy's efforts to get human health issues back inside the scope of governmental officials."

human health was outside the scope of their assessments

I understand the bureaucratic compartmentalization that can lead to an assignment of responsibility for investigating the heath consequences of plant operations to an agency different than the one responsible for licensing. But to not have those two agencies clearly identified and working in tandem is nothing short of criminal.

"...the NRC ... had not addressed potential human health consequences, aside from a single, short paragraph about electromagnetic fields from the transmission lines ... human health was outside the scope of their assessments."