HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-1998-039 A Resolution Regarding Proposed Expansion of High Level Radioactive Waste Storage Facilies at CP &L Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant 11-17-1998-5a~~
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION REGARDING PROPOSED EXPANSION OF HIGH LEVEL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE FACILITIES
AT CP&L'S SHEARON HARRIS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
WHEREAS, on September 15, 1998, the Orange County Board of Commissioners were advised as to
plans for the expansion of the high level radioactive waste storage facilities at Carolina Power &
Light's Shearon Harris nuclear power plant in Wake County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners have been apprised of the potential risks inherent
with the doubling of the storage capacity of the temporary storage pools for high level radioactive
waste for the purpose of long term storage of high level radioactive waste, not only from the Shearon
Harris plant, but also from two other nuclear power plants from elsewhere in North and South
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, citizens of Orange County who are alarmed about the plans to expand the waste storage
capacity at the Shearon Harris facility and the lack of public input into the approval process for those
plans have requested that the Board of County Commissioners intervene in the plan approval process
on behalf of the citizens of Orange County to ensure that no such expansion occurs without the
public's knowledge and consent; and
WHEREAS, on November 9, 1998, the Orange County Commission for the Environment passed a
resolution asking that Board of County Commissioners request that an appropriate entity hold public
hearings in which Carolina Power and Light will provide additional information about its plans to
expand its storage capacity at Shearon Harris and respond to questions about long term storage of high
level radioactive wastes:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners
requests that the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission conduct public hearings in which Carolina Power & Light and appropriate
regulatory staff: 1) explain the plans to expand the storage facilities for high level radioactive waste at
the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant; 2) outline the risks or lack thereof and explain the risk
assessment methodology employed to develop risk projections related to the use of facilities designed
for short term storage of high level radioactive wastes for long term storage; 3) outline the risks or lack
thereof and explain the risk assessment methodology employed to develop risk projections associated
with the transportation and handling of materials from other distant nuclear power generating facilities;
and 4) accept and consider public comments relative to support for or opposition to operating or
expanding such a facility in this area.
This, the 17"' day of November, 1998
' e .Brown, Chair