Princeton Nuclear Expert Joins Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel

A Princeton University nuclear expert has been appointed to the to enhance oversight of the operation of the Forked River power plant leading up to its closure in 2019.

Dr. Adam Cohen, chief operations officer at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, will be serving as the panel’s independent expert.

"I am excited about being chosen for this position and welcome the opportunity to help ensure the continued safe operations at Oyster Creek, as well as moving forward in plans for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant,'' Cohen said.

Cohen has more than 25 years of experience in management of research and development, strategic planning and operations at Princeton, Argonne National Laboratory and the federal Department of Energy. He has also served as the Department of Energy for nuclear energy programs.

"It is important to ensure this nuclear plant continues to operate safely until its closure,'' said Bob Martin, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). "Towards that end, we have selected a very qualified individual with years of experience and knowledge regarding nuclear power, and who is a recognized leader in his field, to be a member of the Oyster Creek Panel.”

Martin added that as a resident of New Jersey, Cohen understands the states needs and concerns.

“He brings great integrity to the process and will be an invaluable asset to the advisory panel,” he said.

The panel plans to keep the public in the know as it reviews the plant's operations and safety plans and monitors Exelon Corporation’s compliance with the administrative consent order.

The consent order was signed on Dec. 9, 2010, and is designed to ensure that the shutdown of Oyster Creek is executed safely. It includes an implementation schedule, progress report requirements and requirements for development of post-shutdown activities.

Among its duties, the panel will:

• Make recommendations to Oyster Creek and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for improvements or further evaluation.
• Conduct independent inspections of the facility as needed or participate in the NRC's inspections.
• Issue reports on findings.
• Seek public input and hold annual public meetings.

Cohen will be responsible for reviewing records, conducting independent evaluations of Oyster Creek, making recommendations to the NRC, issuing reports on findings and carrying out annual public meetings.

Cohen is the third and final member of the panel along with Martin and Charles B. McKenna, Director of the State Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Nuclear engineers and experts from the DEP will also provide input and serve as staff on the panel.

Some environmentalists are criticizing the appointment.

“He does not come from a background where he has shown evidence of concern on nuclear power safety issues,” N.J. Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said. “He doesn’t have the expertise or background that someone would need for this position.”

“If you’re dealing with Oyster Creek, you want someone to understand the safety issues and to be skeptical of what’s happening there. We don’t see him as the kind of person who will be asking the right questions or understanding those issues,” he said.

Although Cohen will serve as an independent expert on the panel, the two other members are appointees from Gov. Chris Christie’s cabinet, Tittel said.

“The independent expert would be outvoted two to one,” he said.

Edith Gbur, president of the Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch, said that the members of the panel "lack knowledge."

“The whole idea of the committee is a political thing. The intent of the committee is not safety but to keep the plant open,” she said. “I think it’s a waste of taxpayer money to keep creating these panels to judge the safety.”

But Larry Hajna from the DEP assured that Clark is qualified.

“All you have to do is look at his resume,” Hajna said. “He is a stellar candidate. He’ll bring depth and breath of understanding that no other candidate would bring.”

Hajna said that Clark has experience in all facets of nuclear power including planning, construction, operations, safety and decommissioning.

“None of the other candidates brought that wealth of experience,” he said.

The closing of Oyster Creek on Dec. 31, 2019, is a part of . His 10-point plan was signed into law on Jan. 5, 2011.

Oyster Creek is the oldest operating nuclear plant in the country. It has the capacity to supply electricity to 600,000 homes and brings in $96 million to the state’s economy through plant workers payrolls.