WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to Gregory B. Jaczko, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, requesting a meeting to discuss the new study to be conducted to analyze the cancer risk for people living near the nation’s nuclear facilities, including Three Mile Island. Three Mile Island is the site of the nation’s worst nuclear accident in March 1979.
“The United States cannot afford lapses in the review of such an important issue, especially at a time in which the Congress is developing a new national energy policy,” Senator Casey wrote.
Senator Casey went on to write, “I am encouraged that your study will look at decades of cancer cases surrounding each of the nation's 65 nuclear facilities. I will be particularly interested in discussing the development of the research model and what steps have been taken to ensure that the methods used will generate the best and most comprehensive results possible.”
In his letter, Senator Casey stressed the importance of ensuring that the research plan be conducted in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner, free of any design flaws like those associated with the study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences 20 years ago.
Over 10 million Pennsylvanians live within 50 miles of a nuclear power site. In addition to Three Mile Island, four other nuclear plants are located in Pennsylvania. Those sites are the Beaver Valley plant near Shippingport in Beaver County, the Limerick plant in Montgomery County, the Peach Bottom plant in York County and the Susquehanna plant near Berwick.
Full text of the letter is below.
Dear Chairman Jaczko,
I understand that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission intends to conduct a study to analyze the cancer risk for people living near the nation’s nuclear facilities, including Three Mile Island, site of the nation’s worst nuclear accident in March 1979. Receiving accurate results from this study is a high priority for me and for all those living in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Therefore, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with the appropriate officials to discuss how the study will be conducted.
Fully understanding the health risks of living near nuclear power plants is of critical importance, since over 10 million Pennsylvanians live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. In addition to Three Mile Island, four other nuclear plants are located in Pennsylvania. Those sites are the Beaver Valley plant near Shippingport in Beaver County, the Limerick plant in Montgomery County, the Peach Bottom plant in York County and the Susquehanna plant near Berwick. It is imperative that development of the research plan be conducted in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner, free of any design flaws like those associated with the study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences twenty years ago.
The United States cannot afford lapses in the review of such an important issue, especially at a time in which the Congress is developing a new national energy policy. Nuclear power plants currently generate around 20 percent of the country’s electricity. Scientific evidence that the technology is safe for surrounding community members is essential to inform any debate about whether the use of nuclear power should be expanded.
I am encouraged that your study will look at decades of cancer cases surrounding each of the nation's 65 nuclear facilities. I will be particularly interested in discussing the development of the research model and what steps have been taken to ensure that the methods used will generate the best and most comprehensive results possible.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to working with the Commission on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senate
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