Bill Text: NJ AR159 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports renewal of operating licenses for existing nuclear facilities and approval of early site permit for new facility.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-23 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [AR159 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR159-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DOMENICK DICICCO, JR.
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Supports renewal of operating licenses for existing nuclear facilities and approval of early site permit for new facility.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting the renewal of PSEG Nuclear's operating licenses for its existing nuclear reactors in New Jersey and the approval of its early site permit to locate a new nuclear facility in the State.
Whereas, As New Jersey's population grows, the State must maintain and expand its ability to generate electricity in a manner that keeps pace with demand, while minimizing consumer costs and any associated environmental impacts; and
Whereas, Unlike other sources of power that contribute to climate change or are inadequate to meet New Jersey's needs, nuclear power is capable of generating sufficient electricity and does not produce carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gas emissions; and
Whereas, New Jersey's "Energy Master Plan," as adopted in 2008, seeks to meet the State's electricity generation needs through "low carbon emitting, reliable and reasonably priced energy"; and intends to achieve this through the continued use of the State's existing nuclear power plants and through an expansion of nuclear power production; and
Whereas, The denial of PSEG Nuclear's applications to renew the operating licenses for its existing nuclear facilities would have a devastating impact on the State's power generating capacity, since the State receives the largest percentage of its energy from nuclear power plants, and on the State's economy, since PSEG Nuclear's nuclear facilities are Salem County's largest employer; and
Whereas, The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") is currently reviewing PSEG Nuclear's application to renew its operating licenses for its three nuclear reactors located in New Jersey at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station; and
Whereas, The NRC issued reports in April 2011 stating that there are no environmental or safety reasons why the three reactors should not have their licenses renewed for another 20 years; and
Whereas, PSEG Nuclear also submitted an early site permit application to the NRC for approval to locate a new nuclear facility alongside its Salem County complex, just north of its Hope Creek plant in Lower Alloways Creek Township; and
Whereas, The early site permit application submitted by PSEG Nuclear, which is designed to resolve any safety and environmental questions, found that the location would have only a moderate impact on the surrounding wetlands, potential archaeological sites, farmlands along a new transmission line corridor, and local vehicle traffic during the construction of the new plant; and
Whereas, If the NRC were to renew the licenses for PSEG Nuclear's existing nuclear power plants and issue a license for an additional facility, New Jersey would be in an excellent position to meet its increasing energy demands over the next 20 years, without increasing, and potentially reducing, the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted during the production of electricity; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House supports the renewal of PSEG Nuclear's operating licenses for its nuclear reactors at the Salem Nuclear Generating Stations and the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station after a thorough and efficient review by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
2. This House supports locating a new nuclear power plant alongside PSEG Nuclear's existing facilities and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval of PSEG Nuclear's early site permit application.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the President of PSEG Nuclear, and the members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.
STATEMENT
This resolution supports the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission's ("NRC") renewal of PSEG Nuclear's operating licenses for its existing nuclear reactors in New Jersey and the approval of its early site permit to locate a new nuclear facility in the State.
Nuclear power is one of the few ways that New Jersey can meet its growing energy demands, while also minimizing consumer costs and environmental impacts. Unlike other energy sources, nuclear power generation produces no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. New Jersey's "Energy Master Plan," as adopted in 2008, seeks to meet the State's electricity generation needs through "low carbon emitting, reliable and reasonably priced energy"; and intends to achieve this through the continued use of the State's existing nuclear plants and through an expansion of nuclear power production. Therefore, the denial of PSEG Nuclear's applications to renew the operating licenses for its existing nuclear facilities would have a devastating impact on State's power generating capacity.
The NRC is currently reviewing PSEG Nuclear's application to renew its operating licenses for its three nuclear reactors located in New Jersey at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station. The NRC issued reports in April 2011 stating that there are no environmental or safety reasons why the three reactors should not have their licenses renewed for another 20 years.
PSEG Nuclear also submitted an early site permit application to the NRC for approval to locate a new nuclear facility alongside its Salem County complex, just north of its Hope Creek plant in Lower Alloways Creek Township. The early site permit application submitted by PSEG Nuclear, which is designed to resolve any safety and environmental questions, found that the location would have only a moderate impact on the surrounding wetlands, potential archaeological sites, farmlands along a new transmission line corridor, and local vehicle traffic during the construction of the new plant.
If the NRC were to renew the licenses for PSEG Nuclear's existing nuclear power plants and issue a license for an additional facility, New Jersey would be in an excellent position to meets its increasing energy demands over the next 20 years, without increasing, and potentially reducing, the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted during the production of electricity. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate for this House to support the renewal of PSEG Nuclear's existing licenses and the approval of a license for a new facility.
