Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station, 21 June 2008 [Photo credit: Mandarax]
Several of my recent posts have focused on plans by the Tennessee Valley Authority to resurrect the zombie-esque nuclear plant known as Bellefonte. Next Thursday, August 18th, the TVA Board of Directors is scheduled to make a decision on what to do with this decaying, neglected and cannibalized facility.
This week, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy released a significant report on why the revival of Bellefonte is a really bad bet. The report was put together by Arnie Gunderson of Fairewinds Associates.
If you have followed the reactor disaster at Fukushima, you may have seen interviews and articles that featured Arnie's analyses. Arnie has 39-years of nuclear power engineering experience. He's a former nuclear industry senior vice president with degrees in nuclear engineering, and was a licensed reactor operator. During his nuclear industry career, Arnie managed and coordinated projects at 70-nuclear power plants around the United States.
What I really like about Arnie is that he can talk about nuclear reactors and nuclear safety in a way that makes a lot of sense to somebody like me who is not an expert on reactors and the inner workings of the nuclear industry and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In addition to writing the report, Arnie did a short video in which he summarized his primary concerns about TVA's plan for Bellefonte. If you are planning to speak at the TVA Board meeting, this video may help you decide where to focus your comments. If you are not planning to come to the meeting, this video may change your mind:
Fairewinds Report for Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on TVA Bellefonte Plant from Fairewinds Associates on Vimeo.
Here's a link to TVA August 18th Board Meeting Agenda, which includes some important information for people who wish to speak:
First, the public may comment on any agenda item or subject at a public listening session which begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Following the end of the public listening session, the meeting will be called to order. Bellefonte is the fourth item on the agenda.
Second, due to the possibility of a large number of attendees, speakers are asked to pre-register online before noon on Wednesday, August 17. On-site registration will be available until 15 minutes before the public listening session begins at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Pre-registered speakers are asked to check-in at registration 15 minutes before the listening session begins and they will address the Board first.
I registered a couple of days ago and it was a short, straightforward process. I hope to see you on Thursday!!!
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