HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2006-085 Resolution Regarding Shearon Harris Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Issues 1~~s • aoU ~ - a ~S
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMNIISSIONERS
A Resolution
In Support of an Emergency Petition to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the NC Waste
Awareness and Reduction Network, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Nuclear Information
and Research Service, NC Fair Share and Students United for a Responsible Global Environment
Seeking Regulatory Action by the Commission to Enforce Existing Fire Protection Standards and
Regulations Applicable to the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has a long and well-established practice of
advocating for any and all activities that would promote the public health, safety and
welfare, particularly in regard to feasible threats to that health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, approximatelySOpercent of the risks of catastrophic nuclear plant failure are associated
with fire-related accidents, as calculated by the .Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners also have a long and well-established record
of concern regarding security and safety issues at the Shearon. Harris nuclear power plant,
related to the potential magnitude and catastrophic consequences of a nuclear power plant
fire leading to an airborne release of nuclear waste materials; and
WHEREAS, information has recently been presented to the Board of County Commissioners as to
ongoing problems with fire safety and fire protection practices at the Shearon Harris
nuclear power plant; and
WHEREAS, Progress Energy/CP&L has indicated that it will apply to the NRC for permission to take
up to nine more years to bring the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant into compliance
with fire safety standards and regulations; and
WHEREAS, Progress Energy/CP&L has indicated that it will apply to the NRC for atwenty-year
extension of its operating license for the Shearon Harris plant while the plant is not in
compliance with existing fire safety standards and regulations; and
WHEREAS, Progress Energy/CP&L has indicated that it is in the process of evaluation of permitting,
designing and constructing two nuclear power reactors at the Shearon Harris nuclear
power plant while the existing plant is not in compliance with existing fire safety
standards and regulations;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby resolve to support
the petition of the NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the
Nuclear Information and Research Service, NC Fair Share and Students United for a Responsible Global
Environment to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission asking that the NRC compel Progress
Energy/CP&L to immediately bring the Shearon Hams nuclear power plant into compliance with
existing federal fire safety standards and regulations applicable to nuclear power plants.
This is the 3rd day of October, 2006