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MARTHA COAKLEY

ATTORNEY GENERAL

February 15, 2008 - For immediate release:

ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTHA COAKLEY ASKS NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TO ADDRESS FINDINGS IN INSPECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT

              BOSTON - Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address findings from a recently issued report by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of the Inspector General.  The report raises questions about the extent to which NRC staff provides independent scrutiny of industry applications for the relicensing of nuclear power plants.  In a letter sent to the NRC today, the Attorney General’s Office requests that the agency address these concerns prior to issuing any final approvals in ongoing relicensing proceedings, including those involving the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon, Vermont.  A letter expressing similar concerns was also sent today by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office of Public Safety.

              “While nuclear power will certainly play an important role in the future of energy, it is important that we ensure that its operation is safe,” said Attorney General Coakley.  “The report issued by the NRC’s Inspector General raises doubt about the NRC’s playing an independent watchdog role, and we are urging the NRC to address those concerns before relicensing the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee power plants.”

              Through a separate request, known as a “rulemaking petition,” the Attorney General’s Office is requesting that the NRC review information about the environmental impacts and risks of severe accidents involving spent nuclear fuel at the plants, including the risk of terrorist attack.  The NRC has solicited public comment on that rulemaking petition, but has not yet issued a decision.  The NRC declined to examine that information in the pending relicensing proceedings for the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee plants.  The Attorney General’s Office has a pending appeal in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in which it is seeking to ensure that the NRC addresses these issues prior to concluding the relicensing proceedings.

              This matter is being handled by Attorney General Coakley’s Environmental Protection Division.

View PDF of the letter to the NRC:

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