Bill Text: NJ SR28 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require immediate installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek Generating Station.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-25 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [SR28 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR28-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT W. SINGER
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require immediate installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek Generating Station.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require the immediate installation of radiation filters at the Oyster Creek Generating Station.
Whereas, In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima Dai-Ichi (Fukushima) nuclear power plant meltdown, forcing tens of thousands of Japanese citizens to be evacuated from their homes in the surrounding area; and
Whereas, The events in Fukushima in conjunction with the post-9/11 threat of terrorism have demonstrated the necessity for enhanced safety measures at nuclear facilities; and
Whereas, The installation of radiation filters in commercial nuclear power plants would greatly reduce the harm from radioactive gases in the event of a natural or man-made disaster; and
Whereas, Radiation filters are common in countries that use nuclear energy and are used to limit the discharge of harmful radioactive gases when the vents at a nuclear power plant are opened to release heat and pressure during an emergency; and
Whereas, In June 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the federal agency that regulates commercial nuclear power plants, issued an order requiring the Oyster Creek Generating Station (Oyster Creek), a nuclear power plant located in Ocean County, New Jersey, to improve the venting system at the facility; and
Whereas, In the June 2013 order, the NRC failed to require the installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek and stated it would begin to address filtering issues through its rulemaking process, which is expected to last four years; and
Whereas, An unfiltered release of radioactive gas at Oyster Creek could conceivably force residents to abandon the area for decades; and
Whereas, The installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek would help to mitigate or prevent harm caused from the release of radioactive material in the event that the vents at the nuclear power plant are opened to release heat and pressure in the reactor core during a crisis; and
Whereas, It is imperative that the NRC act immediately to require the installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek; and
Whereas, Any delay in requiring the installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek places the citizens and environment of this State at great peril; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is respectfully urged to require the immediate installation of radiation filters at the Oyster Creek Generating Station.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Commissioners of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to require the immediate installation of radiation filters at the Oyster Creek Generating Station (Oyster Creek).
In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima Dai-Ichi (Fukushima) nuclear power plant meltdown, forcing tens of thousands of Japanese citizens to be evacuated from their homes in the surrounding area. The events in Fukushima in conjunction with the post-9/11 threat of terrorism have demonstrated the necessity for enhanced safety measures at nuclear facilities. The installation of radiation filters in commercial nuclear power plants would greatly reduce the harm from radioactive gases in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Radiation filters are used to limit the discharge of harmful radioactive gases when the vents at a nuclear power plant are opened to release heat and pressure during an emergency.
In June 2013, the NRC, the federal agency that regulates commercial nuclear power plants, issued an order requiring Oyster Creek, a nuclear power plant located in Ocean County, New Jersey, to improve the venting system at the facility. In the June 2013 order, the NRC failed to require the installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek and stated it would begin to address filtering issues through its rulemaking process, which is expected to last four years.
The installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek would help to mitigate or prevent harm caused from the release of radioactive material in the event that the vents at the nuclear power plant are opened to release heat and pressure in the reactor core during a crisis. It is imperative that the NRC act immediately to require the installation of radiation filters at Oyster Creek.
