Comments by Kraig Schultz of MSEF at the PCAP

The following comments were delivered by Kraig Schultz of the Michigan Safe Energy Future-Shoreline Chapter at the Palisades [Decommissioning] Community Advisory Panel at Lake Michigan College in South Haven, MI on April 13, 2022:

Hello, my name is Kraig Schultz.  I live 50 miles from Palisades.  I am a member of Michigan Safe Energy Future.    I have four comments and I have questions to go with each comment:

My first comment:

The risk of a Chernobyl-scale nuclear accident at Palisades will continue until several years after the plant stops producing electricity.  NRC report, NUREG-1738, entitled “Technical Study of Spent Fuel Pool Accident Risk at Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants” identifies there is a risk of having a fire in the spent fuel pool until all the fuel bundles are safely transferred from the Spent Fuel Pool to dry cask storage.  It generally takes several years for spent fuel to cool down in the spent fuel pool before it is safe enough to transfer it to dry casks.

So, there is a risk that this plant could cause a major nuclear accident while Holtec owns it.

My questions are, “How much experience does Holtec have with maintaining spent fuel pools?”    “What assurance do we have that Holtec can or will maintain the staffing that it needs so that it can safely transfer the spent fuel to dry casks?”

My second comment:

On the subject of the fuel pool water and other water that may be contaminated with Radioactive particles.   Since Lake Michigan is the source of drinking water for Millions of people, Radioactive water from the plant should not be disposed into Lake Michigan.  

My question is:  How does Holtec propose to dispose of the water from Palisades during the decommissioning process?

My Third comment is:

The metal in nuclear reactors is weakened over time by neutron irradiation.  The weakened metal of the reactor pressure vessel is a risk factor that could lead to meltdowns.  The test coupons in the Palisades Pressure vessel and the metal of the pressure vessel itself can provide critical data to help improve nuclear safety at other plants around the world   Therefore, these materials must be transferred for analysis during decommissioning.

 My question is:  “When and by what methods will Holtec provide the coupons and sections of the Reactor Pressure vessel and to whom will these materials be given?”

My Fourth comment is:

Given Holtec's short history of decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants, it is important that oversight is present to ensure Holtec is held accountable to complete the work described in the PSDAR safely, successfully and within budget.  

My questions are:  “Who is providing this oversight?”  “Will the public have a way to monitor this oversight?”  “How and on what dates will the public have this opportunity for oversight?”