DEP Announces Postponement of Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel Meeting

The Department of Environmental Protection is postponing the Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel public meeting that was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 5 due to Hurricane Sandy.

The meeting, which was to take place at the Ocean County Administration Building in Toms River, will be rescheduled.

When the meeting is held, members of the Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel will be available to discuss plant-related matters. The panel was created to assist the DEP with the evaluation of the safe operation and cessation of operations at Oyster Creek, a news release said.

The panel consists of DEP Commissioner Bob Martin, Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Edward Dickson and independent consultant Adam Cohen.

The closure of Oyster Creek was announced in December 2010. The nuclear plant will cease operation in 2019, 10 years before its operating license expires. Prior to closing down, a decommissioning plan has to be established.

The public will be included in the decommissioning process as several meetings are to be held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the vicinity of the nuclear plant. Paul Baldauf, Director of the DEP, noted that the Nov. 5 meeting is not a part of that process.

"The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public an opportunity to speak to the Panel and communicate any concerns regarding the operation of Oyster Creek and the cessation of operations in 2019," he said.

The public meeting will be held similarly to a “town” meeting. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments for the panel to consider, she said. Questions may also be asked.

Please continue to follow Lacey Patch as we will announce the meeting when it’s rescheduled.