Sen Bernie Sanders on authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

[kristopher]

Hundreds gather to protest Vt. nuclear plant
April 14, 2012

...During his speech to the energized crowd, Sanders criticized the NRC for what he said is an overstepping of its legal bounds. He explained that under federal law, the NRC is responsible for making sure power plants are safe and nothing more.

"That's their job," Sanders told The Associated Press. "They are not supposed to be an advocate for expansion of nuclear power. They are not supposed to be an ally for the nuclear power industry. Their job is really quite limited: It's to make sure that the plants are as safe as possible."

He also pointed out that the NRC's decision to keep Vermont Yankee open, despite the wishes of state officials, flies in the face of Vermont's rights. He reminded the crowd that in 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court said states can slow down or end nuclear power within their borders for non-safety reasons.

Shumlin echoed that point in his speech, citing economic and trust issues as reasons the state should fight to close Vermont Yankee. For example, he said, several power providers in the state declined to partner with Vermont Yankee, finding there were other, more affordable options.

He also accused Entergy of being bad business partners...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/04/14/hundreds_gather_to_protest_vt_nuclear_plant/


See also: Stop the nuclear industry welfare programme
After 60 years, the taxpayer should not continue to subsidise multibillion-dollar corporations in the nuclear energy sector
Bernie Sanders and Ryan Alexander guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 April 2012 09.00 EDT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/13/nuclear-industry-us-welfare

[bananas]

1. Nuclear power is a textbook example of the problem of “regulatory capture”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture#Nuclear_Regulatory_Commission_.28NRC.29

Nuclear power is a textbook example of the problem of “regulatory capture” — in which an industry gains control of an agency meant to regulate it. Regulatory capture can be countered only by vigorous public scrutiny and Congressional oversight, but in the 32 years since Three Mile Island, interest in nuclear regulation has declined precipitously.

Then-candidate Barack Obama said in 2007 that the five-member NRC had become "captive of the industries that it regulates" and Joe Biden indicated he had absolutely no confidence in the agency.

[kristopher]

5. It is so bad that even a pronuclear regulator who is merely cautious has trouble serving

Look at the current troubles that are following NRC Chairman Jaczko around. He is solidly pronuclear, but because he wants to ensure a few items of safety are prioritized he has been ostracized and made the object of endless attacks. There hasn't been a serving Commissioner who was actually critical of the nuclear industry since Bradford term was up in 1982.

http://www.fpif.org/blog/jaczko_jacked_up_nuclear_energy_mugs_regulatory_commish

[madokie]

2. I seen this shit coming a long time ago

It was demonstrated to us locals when PSO tried to shove one down our throats.
I really wish we didn't have to have this discussion but as long as there is a fission power plant this story will continue.

[PamW]

3. Sanders is WRONG

Sanders is WRONG!!!

Actually, if you read the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 which created the NRC and gave it the regulatory powers Congress defined in the AEA of 1954; the power vested in the NRC is quite expansive and not "limited".

The NRC was not created to be a cheerleader for the nuclear industry. That was vested by the 1974 act in ERDA - the Energy Research and Development Agency.

The NRC has very broad powers in the regulation of all things nuclear; like plant safety, who can have radioactive material, how waste is to be disposed, what security is needed....

The federal legislation also EXCLUDES the States and local governments from exercising any regulations over matters in the NRC's purview.

The US Supreme Court has upheld these powers in several decisions as a proper exercise of federal power and the exclusion of the power of the States under the US Constitution's "Supremacy Clause", Article VI Section 2.

PamW

[kristopher]

4. Wrong way Pam strikes again...

Sanders and bananas are dead on target. Of the legislators in the Senate, Sanders is one of the most knowledgeable; he is in no way given to hyperbole or exaggeration. You on the other hand are, as usual, attempting to muddy the water with factiods that completely fail to form a coherent argument that addresses the issue. Not only is this attempt a failure, but it also has the negative ethical component of being a transparent attempt at deception since it in no way contradicts what the Senator has said.