Statement of Issue

The construction and operation of two additional nuclear reactors in Central Virginia would threaten water resources, endanger public health, and create security risks for the people living in this region.  In the nearly 10 years it would take to construct a nuclear plant, efficiency and conservation measures along with support from renewable energy, can limit the demand for capacity without these burdens.

Background

Dominion Resources (formerly Virginia Power) has been operating two nuclear reactors for the generation of electricity since the 1970s at their North Anna power station in Louisa County.  In September 2003, Dominion applied for an Early Site Permit (ESP) to build two additional reactors at this location. 

Since the submission of the application, public hearings were held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  Environmental organizations, residents groups, and individuals have opposed the NRC approval of the ESP and have asked the DEQ to declare the reactors inconsistent with the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Act.   In 2005, Dominion changed their original plans and announced that the third reactor would utilize a once-through cooling system and the fourth reactor would be air-cooled.  In 2006, Dominion once again changed their proposal and announced that the third reactor would utilize a wet/dry cooling tower.

In November 2006 the DEQ determined that the early site permit requested by Dominion meets the standards of Virginia’s coastal preservation program.  A subsequent decision by the State Water Control Board to allow the existing nuclear plants to discharge wastewater at temperatures in excess of state water quality standards is currently under appeal in State Circuit Court in Richmond. The NRC approved the Early Site Permit on November 20, 2007 and will be accepting comments on the Combined Operating License (COL) until August 15, 2008.  The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League  filed a petition with the NRC on May 9 opposing the COL.

Environmental Impact

The construction of new reactors at North Anna will have serious consequences for the natural environment of Central Virginia:

- New reactors will have detrimental effects on water quality in Lake Anna, the York River Watershed, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.  The proposed hybrid cooling tower system will result in the evaporation of 25 to 37 cubic feet of water per second from Lake Anna.  This level of water evaporation during droughts will have unacceptable impacts for those who live near the lake and downstream.   Combined with the discharge of heated water into Lake Anna, there will be an increased threat to aquatic life in all affected waterways.   The water supply for residents, farmers, and businesses along the North Anna and Pamunkey Rivers will be imperiled during periods of low rainfall.

- Existing reactors at North Anna each generate about 20 metric tons of highly radioactive waste per year.  There is no approved plan for the permanent disposal of this spent fuel.  It will most likely be stored at the North Anna site indefinitely in pools and casks above ground that pose serious health and security risks for the people of Virginia.

- There are already high levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the lower section of Lake Anna.  These chemicals are known to cause cancer and nervous system disorders.   (On August 31, 2007 the State Health Commissioner issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Anna shad, carp, bass, perch, catfish, and sunfish.)   If new reactors are constructed and become operational, these chemicals are likely to be stirred up in the lake and bioaccumulate in the aquatic life.  

- During the summer of 2007, scientists from VCU found the human brain attacking naegleria fowleri amoeba in both the main reservoir and cooling lagoons of Lake Anna.  This same amoeba caused 6 deaths in Florida, Texas, and Arizona last summer.  This organism proliferates around 86 degrees F and thrives especially well at 95 degrees and above.  During the summer of 2007 water temperatures near the plant exceeded 106 degrees.

- A major clam die-off occurred at Lake Anna in 2007.  In September the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries requested that VDEQ conduct a clam/mussel survey of the entire lake.

Safety Concerns

New reactors at North Anna will endanger the people of Central Virginia because:

- Increased amounts of nuclear waste create more dangers from terrorism, leaks and spills and possible transport through communities.   The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not require nuclear power plants to protect themselves against terrorist attacks.

- Accident risk.  Numerous safety violations have been documented in the United States during the past 30 years and enforcement by the NRC has been lax.  A December 2002 report by the NRC’s Office of the Inspector General concluded that the “NRC appears to have informally established an unreasonably high burden of requiring absolute proof of a safety problem, versus lack of reasonable assurance of maintaining public health and safety, before it will act to shut down a power plant.”  

Conclusion

There is no demonstrated need for the additional energy that new reactors at North Anna would supply.  At $8-10 billion per reactor, nuclear power is a poor economic investment that would be borne by Virginia ratepayers.  Every country with nuclear energy provides enormous public subsidies to the industry.  The United Kingdom recently ended these subsidies because of the tremendous cost of constructing new nuclear power plants.  Our government and the power production companies should establish aggressive policies for energy conservation and clean renewable energy production.    A far smaller investment in efficiency and renewable energy would to create a new energy future with more jobs and less risk.

The construction of new reactors at North Anna would have devastating social and environmental effects on Virginia.  The environmental impacts to the lake and surrounding community have not been adequately addressed.  The People’s Alliance for Clean Energy supports clean, renewable energies and efficiency measures and opposes the licensing, construction and operation of new nuclear fission reactors at North Anna.