Groups: Fermi 3 nuclear plant would create pollution
May 5 -
McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Tina Lam Detroit Free Press
>
> Environmental groups told federal regulators today that a new
> Fermi 3 nuclear plant is not needed and would cause new air and water
> pollution.
> That includes warm water and phosphorus that could add to algae blooms
> already happening in recent summers in western Lake Erie.
>
> They're also concerned about the destruction of wetlands and
> seven threatened or endangered species that live on the site where the
> new plant would be built, including the Eastern fox snake.
>
> The environmental groups said the plant's licensing proceeding
> should take into account the environmental effects not only of the new
> nuclear plant, but those of five nearby coal plants and two other
> nuclear plants.
> They contend the nation still hasn't found a permanent home for high-
> level nuclear waste the plant will produce, and that the design for
> the plant, which is new, hasn't been certified so licensing shouldn't
> be moving ahead for Fermi 3.
>
> Lawyers for DTE Energy said they've already addressed the issues
> the groups raise and that all are being addressed. They will be
> required to get federal permits to do any dredging or filling of
> wetlands, where protected species live, and will need state or federal
> permits for anything they discharge into waterways.
>
> The groups, including Beyond Nuclear and the Sierra club, also
> questioned the evacuation plans for 3,000 workers who would be at
> Fermi 2 and Fermi 3 and said new roads will be needed to handle
> workers from both nuclear plants in case of an accident.
>
> A three-judge panel of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is
> hearing the environmental groups' concerns as a step in the licensing
> of a proposed 1,500-megawatt nuclear plant. The panel will decide
> which concerns might need more thorough public hearings.
>
> The plant won't get a license for several years, after its new
> design is certified.
>
> Peter Bradford, a law professor in Vermont and former member of
> the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told people here at a public meeting
> last month there is no certainty that the design DTE has chosen for
> its new plant will be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
> He also questioned the need for the new plant since demand for
> electricity in Michigan is shinking.
>
> DTE said it's looking ahead to future demand and that in the next
> few decades, there is no question there will be a need for a large new
> plant, in addition to renewables like wind and solar, because existing
> plants will be retired.
>
> DTE submitted an application for the plant's licensing last
> September.
> It would be the first new nuclear plant in Michigan in 20 years and is
> expected to cost $10 billion.
McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Tina Lam Detroit Free Press
>
> Environmental groups told federal regulators today that a new
> Fermi 3 nuclear plant is not needed and would cause new air and water
> pollution.
> That includes warm water and phosphorus that could add to algae blooms
> already happening in recent summers in western Lake Erie.
>
> They're also concerned about the destruction of wetlands and
> seven threatened or endangered species that live on the site where the
> new plant would be built, including the Eastern fox snake.
>
> The environmental groups said the plant's licensing proceeding
> should take into account the environmental effects not only of the new
> nuclear plant, but those of five nearby coal plants and two other
> nuclear plants.
> They contend the nation still hasn't found a permanent home for high-
> level nuclear waste the plant will produce, and that the design for
> the plant, which is new, hasn't been certified so licensing shouldn't
> be moving ahead for Fermi 3.
>
> Lawyers for DTE Energy said they've already addressed the issues
> the groups raise and that all are being addressed. They will be
> required to get federal permits to do any dredging or filling of
> wetlands, where protected species live, and will need state or federal
> permits for anything they discharge into waterways.
>
> The groups, including Beyond Nuclear and the Sierra club, also
> questioned the evacuation plans for 3,000 workers who would be at
> Fermi 2 and Fermi 3 and said new roads will be needed to handle
> workers from both nuclear plants in case of an accident.
>
> A three-judge panel of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is
> hearing the environmental groups' concerns as a step in the licensing
> of a proposed 1,500-megawatt nuclear plant. The panel will decide
> which concerns might need more thorough public hearings.
>
> The plant won't get a license for several years, after its new
> design is certified.
>
> Peter Bradford, a law professor in Vermont and former member of
> the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told people here at a public meeting
> last month there is no certainty that the design DTE has chosen for
> its new plant will be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
> He also questioned the need for the new plant since demand for
> electricity in Michigan is shinking.
>
> DTE said it's looking ahead to future demand and that in the next
> few decades, there is no question there will be a need for a large new
> plant, in addition to renewables like wind and solar, because existing
> plants will be retired.
>
> DTE submitted an application for the plant's licensing last
> September.
> It would be the first new nuclear plant in Michigan in 20 years and is
> expected to cost $10 billion.