Anti-Nuclear groups are angered by a decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to exclude them from the re-licensing process for the Seabrook Nuclear Plant.
A number of groups filed for intervener status so that they could file objections to the plant's extension of its operation to 2050. The coalition of environmental organizations planned to argue that renewable energy resources, such as wind power, could ultimately replace nuclear power. But the NRC ruled that their argument lacked merit, because that replacement power isn't available now.
Doug Bogen, with the anti-Nuclear Seacoast Anti Pollution League says that the commission should be taking into consideration alternative power that can and will be available. “We're talking about 20 years down the road. It's ridiculous to suggest that we need to demonstrate that alternative power is available today,” he said.
Bogen says that the NRC is effectively streamlining the licensing process for the Seabrook Plant.
The NRC still has to deal with the contention from another anti-nuclear group that wind currents could cause widespread health issues in a nuclear plant accident. The current operating license expires in 2030.
