Close Oyster Creek

New Jerseyans Deserve Clean, Safe Power

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has also filed to intervene in the proceeding. The DEP is addressing the security of nuclear waste stored on-site, safety standards regarding plant corrosion, and the availability of back-up generators.

On February 1st, DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson wrote a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission urging the Commission to support both the coalition and the DEP’s interventions by holding a formal public hearing.

A Brief Summary

Ignoring public opinion and motivated by profits, Exelon Corporation has applied to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a 20-year license extension. Unfortunately, the NRC has rubberstamped every single license extension application in the country.

Our state leaders can put a stop to this pattern by publicly and unequivocally opposing a license extension for the plant. New Jersey does not need to be the test case for a 60-year old nuclear plant. Oyster Creek's operation is unnecessary-we can retire the plant and continue to get plenty of energy from the regional electricity grid. In the long term, we can replace Oyster Creek with energy efficiency and clean, safe, renewable sources like wind and solar power.

The Problem:

If this license extension is granted, New Jersey will be the test-case for a 60-year old nuclear power plant. Oyster Creek’s major components were only designed to last for 40 years. Age-related factors have already led to a history of mechanical and equipment failures and unplanned shutdowns at Oyster Creek. As nuclear plants age, the rate of structural malfunctions increases--30 percent of recent equipment failures at nuclear plants were due at least in part to age-related degradation. The plant's reactor is also a faulty design, prohibited from further construction in 1972.

Oyster Creek is also located in the fastest growing county in the state, and Oyster Creek is storing hundreds of thousands of pounds of high-level radioactive waste on site. In the case of an accident or a terrorist attack, evacuation of the more than half million people living in nearby towns is nearly impossible. Lastly, Oyster Creek's water intake and discharge levels, currently in violation of the Clean Water Act, have degraded local waterways since the plant's inception.

The Solution:

Nineteen towns neighboring Oyster Creek and the Ocean County Board of Freeholders have passed resolutions citing serious concerns about the plant's safety. In fact, nine towns, including Brick, Toms River, Berkeley and Lakewood-the four largest in Ocean County-call for Oyster Creek's immediate closure. In addition, all of the state legislators representing constituents living closest to the plant, Congressman Frank Pallone and Chris Smith are vocally opposed to a 20-year license extension.

Now Governor Corzine must take the next step and call for Oyster Creek's closure.

The time is ripe to close Oyster Creek. If this opportunity is missed, an aging nuclear plant will bind New Jerseyans for another two decades. Now is our chance to make sure Oyster Creek is retired safely, paving the way to a secure and healthy future for generations to come.

For more information on how to help visit our coalition member's web site at: NJPIRG Close Oyster Creek or send an email to: becca.glenn@SierraClub.org