Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Barnegat Mayor notes that new sirens are being tested by Office of Emergency Management.
A three-minute full volume siren will be activated within Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station’s emergency planning zone at 9 a.m., and four times throughout the day on May 29. The sirens will also go off for shorter test periods on May 23 at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and on May 30. The system will sound as a part of Exelon’s comprehensive emergency preparedness program. This test is not a signal to evacuate, according to Barnegat Township Mayor Len Morano, who spoke about the test at the Township Committee meeting last night. "It will sound pretty loud but don't everyone panic when you hear it," Morano said. Although Oyster Creek conducts electronic testing of its sirens on a weekly basis, this is an annual test, issued by Exelon …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Nuclear power plant staff are in close contact with law enforcement officials
Security measures have been enhanced at Oyster Creek Generating Station following the explosions at the Boston Marathon that claimed the lives of three and wounded more than 170 people. “We are at a heightened state of security awareness,” spokesperson Suzanne D’Ambrosio said, adding that the measures taken are not unusual for public facilities. “Our security team stands at the ready as they do 24/7/365 to protect the plant, the public and our employees.” D’Ambrosio could not say what the increased security includes or how long it will last. “We stay in close contact with law enforcement officials and we’re closely tied to what’s going on,” she said. Janet Tauro, an anti-nuclear advocate for Grandmothers, Mothers and More for Energy Safety…
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Senator requests information from NRC based on nuclear plant's performance during Sandy
- OPINION
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Tuesday, January 29
Editor's note: The following letter was drafted by Sen. Frank Lautenberg and sent to Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Allison Macfarlane concerning safety at Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Dear Chairman Macfarlane: I am writing to request an update on actions being taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address safety concerns that have been reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station following Superstorm Sandy. As you know, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2012, bringing unprecedented damage to our coastline, our infrastructure and homes throughout the state. Given that New Jersey is home to four nuclear reactors that provide approximately 50 percent of the state’s electricity, we were …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A pinhole leak found on a reactor vessel head cooling system at the nuclear power plant will be repaired before Oyster Creek returns online
A pinhole leak has been found on a reactor vessel head cooling system at Oyster Creek Generating Station, according to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) spokesman Neil Sheehan. The leak was discovered on Tuesday during a refueling and maintenance outage that began at the nuclear power plant on Oct. 22. The system is utilized to cool the reactor vessel head during shutdown, he said. The pinhole leak was found through an earlier weld and was weeping approximately two to three drops per minute, he said. “Exelon will need to develop a repair plan that is consistent with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code (ASME),” Sheehan said. “NRC metallurgical specialists will continue to engage Exelon on the leak, including a review of the …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Report expected on water level increases during superstorm
- NEWS
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began an inspection today of the Oyster Creek Generating Station in Lacey in response to issues related to Hurricane Sandy. Three inspectors are reviewing activities related to water level increases at the plant's water intake structure during the storm and will expand on reviews made during and after the storm by the NRC's resident inspectors assigned to Oyster Creek. “Because the reactor was out of service at the time of the storm for a previously scheduled refueling and maintenance outage, plant operators did not have to contend with the possibility of a reactor shutdown as Sandy passed through the area. There were no immediate safety concerns,” Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. “Nevertheless…
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Oyster Creek terminates alert status, resumes operations
Power has been restored to Oyster Creek Generating Station after a loss due to Hurricane Sandy. Once electrical service was lost, the nuclear power plant utilized backup generators to power water pumps that cool the fuel stored in the nuclear reactor, a statement from the state Department of Environmental Protection said. Oyster Creek Generating Station terminated its “alert” status early this morning after the intake water level returned to normal. The “alert” was terminated at 3:53 a.m. today and normal operations resumed less than 36 hours after Hurricane Sandy pummeled the Jersey Shore, a statement from Oyster Creek said. On Monday night, the plant suffered power outages, declared an “alert’’ due to rising water levels and lost a …
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The plant declared an "alert" as water levels rose at its canal, experienced a power outage and lost a portion of its warning alarm system
The Department of Environmental Protection and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are monitoring the impacts of Hurricane Sandy on operations at Oyster Creek Generating Station, a news release from the Gov. Chris Christie’s office said. The nuclear power plant suffered power outages and declared an “alert” on Monday night due to the rising water levels as a result of high tides, wind direction and storm surge. The plant also lost a portion of its warning alarm system. An NRC statement noted that Oyster Creek remains in “safe condition” and the federal agency anticipates that water levels will abate within several hours. The plant experienced a power disruption in the station’s switchyard. The station’s two backup diesel generators …
Monday, October 29, 2012
The nuclear power plant remains safe, Exelon Corporation says
8:20 p.m. Update: Exelon Corporation declared an Unusual Event at 7 p.m. at Oyster Creek Generating Station after water levels in the plant’s intake structure reached higher than normal levels, a news release said. “This is an anticipated declaration required by procedures and is the result of Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the region,” the news release said. “There is no challenge to the safety of the plant. Oyster Creek is currently shut down for planned maintenance and refueling.” An Unusual Event is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “There is no danger to the public or plant employees associated with this declaration,” the release said. Spokesperson Suzanne D’Ambrosio explained …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Following a single-car accident at Oyster Creek Generating Station, driver Charles Howard was taken to Community Medical Center for an alleged drug ingestion
A Forked River man was arrested and charged with various motor vehicle and drug offenses after striking a cement barrier with a motor vehicle at Oyster Creek Generating Station, police said. Charles Howard, 36, was driving a vehicle towards the entrance of Oyster Creek at 7:52 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 when he struck a cement barrier, police said. Police responded to the scene of the crash where there were no injuries. It was determined that Howard was attempting to make a u-turn from within the entrance of the power plant. Howard was arrested and charged with DWI, driving while suspended, reckless driving, failure to report a motor vehicle accident, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, possession of a controlled dangerous …
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
17 municipalities located within the 10-mile radius of Oyster Creek will be participating in the emergency simulation
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are holding a public meeting on Friday, June 15 at 1 p.m. to discuss the results of the county's Oyster Creek Generating Station’s Nuclear Exercise. The meeting, which will be held at the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management located at the Ocean County Airport on Route 530 in Berkeley Township, will focus on the Oyster Creek exercise scheduled for Tuesday, June 12. The annual exercise tests the response of nuclear plant workers as well as municipal, county and state agencies through a simulated emergency at Oyster Creek, a news release from the county said. “The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management participates annually in drills that focus on the nuclear power …
Debbie
1:54 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Actually, the real product of nuclear power is the nuclear waste which is being stored throughout the US which we have yet to dispose. The issue of what to do with the waste has been around since the 70's and it's been pushed aside for over 30 years while plants (as well as other entities) continue producing it. more ›