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Enviros drop challenge of third nuclear reactor
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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A consortium of environmental groups contesting applications for a third reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant has decided to cease its opposition to the project receiving state permission to go forward.
Michael Mariotte with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, a Takoma Park-based group that is one of the four groups in opposition, said the activists made the decision to withdraw as "joint intervenors" in UniStar Nuclear Energy's application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Maryland Public Service Commission because of skepticism that the strategy would be successful.
Late last month, PSC's hearing examiner recommended that the commission grant the certificate.
Mariotte said that because Calvert Cliffs is an unregulated merchant plant, his group always thought it was a "long shot to get the PSC to look at it seriously." He said the PSC had stated it did not have jurisdiction in the matter. "We're limited in our resources and it just seemed to us that, rather [than?] do an appeal that we didn't really think the PSC would find that it has jurisdiction over, we should use those resources in other ways."
But the activists will continue to challenge the application before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on issues of financial risk to taxpayers and ratepayers, Mariotte said. "We are continuing a number of other avenues on this," he said. "I think it's important to note, because I'm not sure people understand this, but the Maryland Public Service Commission does not give them permission to build a nuclear plant. They're a long way from having permission to build a nuclear plant or do anything other than clear some brush. … There's a long way to go."
UniStar spokeswoman Maureen Brown said her company is pleased that PSC might grant the application. "With regard to the CPCS, we see this as an important step in the state regulatory process. The fact that the hearing examiner has recommended approval, it's our understanding that any party in the case has the opportunity to comment or appeal the order until May 29. … We appreciate the thorough and thoughtful review of the application, and we think this is a project that would have all the benefits I mentioned and support the clean air objectives set by Gov. [Martin] O'Malley," she said.
