Nuclear watchdog group wants to meet with Quinn
An Illinois nuclear watchdog group has asked Gov. Pat Quinn for a face-to-face meeting to discuss safety and oversight of the state’s reactors, starting with the four reactors that are the same model and roughly the same age as those involved in Japan’s ongoing nuclear crisis.
David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, sent a letter to Quinn late Tuesday requesting the meeting and included a list of topics his group wants to discuss. A Quinn spokesman said the governor has the letter and his office would contact Kraft.
Kraft praised Quinn for his decision to review the safety of Illinois’ nuclear plants and the state’s ability to respond to an emergency. But he said he fears that review and the federal review ordered by President Barack Obama would be undertaken to show that nuclear plants are safe rather than to uncover potential problems.
Illinois has six nuclear plants, with a total of 11 reactors, more than any other state in the U.S. Four of those reactors are the same Mark I model as those experiencing trouble in Japan.
Kraft and others, including environmental groups, have said the Mark I is more susceptible to problems in the event of a natural or man-made disaster because spent fuel rods are stored above the reactor containment chamber instead of at ground level, and the containment system is too small and could allow pressure to build quickly in the event of an emergency.
Exelon Corp. owns the Illinois reactors and says they’re safe. Even so, Quinn said a thorough review is in order.
“Now that we see what happened in Japan, I think we need to study everything,” Quinn said Tuesday.
Kraft’s letter also reminded Quinn that he has a duty to protect his constituents and the environment.
“This is why we wish to meet with you personally, and offer our services to help you and your office in this instance,” the letter said.
Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk will hold a forum Friday with federal and state nuclear experts to discuss Illinois safety issues.
-AP
