Passing environmental grade for Oconee Nuclear

The government’s nuclear watchdog agency announces a passing grade for Oconee Nuclear’s draft environmental impact statement.  That environmental review is part of the lengthy process underway for Duke Energy to qualify for a second renewal of its operating licenses for the Oconee Nuclear Station.  The passing grade, announced by the NRC’s Lance Rakoven, is a recommendation, and it comes at a time when NRC continues to take public comment on the EIS.  Duke has previously announced the goal of a 50% reduction in carbon  by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. Today, in a webinar meeting, the NRC made known its review of such categories as fisheries, cultural and historic resources, and air quality, determining that in none of those and others studied is there anything serious enough standing in the way of a new, 20-year license for Oconee’s three reactors.  However, when the meeting opened for public comment the first two speakers, including Oconee County resident Rosellen Aleguire, queried the NRC officials as to what part, if any,climate change was part of their considerations.  In particular, Aleguire worries about safety in the event of flooding caused by heavy rains or tornadoes.