Report Finds Oyster Creek Safe Following Nuclear Tragedy In Japan

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station has been deemed safe according to the New Jersey’s Nuclear Review Task Force interim report, which assessed operations and emergency preparedness for the state's power plants following the nuclear tragedy in Japan.

"We confirmed that we already have excellent safety features at our nuclear power plants and a top notch emergency preparedness and response system in place in New Jersey, one that is continuously the focus of practice and improvement,'' said Bob Martin, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The report stressed that the state’s nuclear reactors were designed to withstand severe events, including hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.

The Task Force, which was established by Gov. Chris Christie in March, examined emergency response protocols, technical reviews of plant operations, the chain of command and control at each of the nuclear facilities, evacuation plans and emergency communications to the public.

“We had an obligation to examine the science and facts of the tragedy in Japan to see if there were early lessons learned to help make our preparedness and response plan even better. We understand you can never be too prepared, never be too comfortable in thinking you have all of the answers,” Martin said.

New Jersey has four nuclear reactors: Oyster Creek in Lacey Township; the Salem Units One and Two reactors in Lower Alloways Creek Township; and Hope Creek, also in Lower Alloways Creek.

Recommendations made include the following:

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) should evaluate interconnections of generators at each nuclear plant in Lower Alloways Creek and work with Exelon and PSE&G to develop procedures to quickly move essential equipment to deal with potential emergencies.
• The number of emergency diesel pumps at nuclear plants to handle cooling for damaged systems should be increased; monitors should be added to view the spent fuel pool level from multiple locations; regional agreements between nuclear plant operators should be created providing access to redundant pumps and generators; press the NRC and federal Department of Energy to create a national depository for spent nuclear fuel.
• The Task Force found that there was no technical or scientific reason to expand the current 10-mile emergency planning zone. The NRC must confirm this finding.
• Battery backup must be installed for the siren network surrounding Oyster Creek; find alternative methods to delivering emergency messages to the public; and support federal initiatives for emergency preparedness drills that feature a variety of natural disasters.
• Coordinate emergency response exercises with New York and Pennsylvania; more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the State and federal government in handling potential emergencies; implement needed information technology upgrades at the State's emergency response headquarters.

For Oyster Creek, the next step is examining the report and implementing the necessary recommendations, said Suzanne D’Ambrosio, spokesperson for Exelon Corporation.

“Obviously we still need to read the study a bit further and have a greater understanding of the study, however looking at the study, for the most part the task force has concurred that Oyster Creek and New Jersey power plants are running safely. We are committed to that,” D’Ambrosio said.

Exelon is in the process of enhancing the sirens surrounding all four plants in the Mid-Atlantic, she said.

Oyster Creek is included in the plant’s upgrades, which is done in a tiered approach. Oyster Creek's new siren system is expected to be installed over the next few years, she said.

“This is an ongoing project for Exelon. The recommendation from the state is not something that we need to be reactive to, we’re already proactively addressing it,” D’Ambrosio said.

Regarding the other recommendations, D’Ambrosio said Exelon would have to look at the report in greater depth.

“We’ve been working to address all of these types of issues since day one immediately after the disaster. We appreciate the report and working with state,” D’Ambrosio said. “Overall, we will continue to operate as we’ve always have under the regulations that are set forth by the NRC and our regulators. We will continue to look at the aftermath of the events in Japan and learn lessons from it.”

Oyster Creek is the oldest nuclear plant in the United States, beginning commercial operations on Dec. 23, 1969. The plant employs nearly 700 workers and provides enough electricity for 600,000 New Jersey homes.