[NukeNet] APP.COM LETTERT LEN AMADAY NOV 10, 2007 NRC

[Edith]

APP.C
Saturday, November 10, 2007
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Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/10/07
Story Chat Post Comment

The people of our area who protest the relicensing of the Oyster Creek nuclear energy plant in Lacey realize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been stonewalling the community without ever considering the people's case. It's time to examine the politics involved in NRC hearings.

Each denial of a license would hasten the end of the need for an NRC. Each member of the NRC has a vested interest in keeping the nuclear energy business thriving.

In addition, consider the revolving door of employment that exists to provide more gainful employment for NRC members. Take the case of Jeffrey Merrifield. Before he left the NRC, Merrifield's last assignment as an NRC commissioner was to chair an agency task force on ways to accelerate licensing of nuclear plants. His salary at the NRC was $154,600. He then joined the Shaw group, a nuclear builder that has worked on 95 percent of existing nuclear plants. In Shaw Group's peer groups, $705,409 is the median annual compensation for a senior vice president. It appears that every NRC commissioner is looking forward to a lucrative job with the industry.

Is it any wonder then that the public doesn't have an ear with the NRC?

Now the Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides the means for private owners to build new plants with less investment and all the means for rushing construction with reduced liability. In the rush to find alternative sources, the government is choosing the most dangerous one for consideration.

Len Amada

MANCHESTER 
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