Clearwater is co-sponsoring a conference to raise awareness about the significant challenges involved in decommissioning of nuclear plants, to take place on Thursday, October 15, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM, 2 West 64th Street, in Manhattan. The conference will be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture,  which is a co-sponsor, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The conference, “When Nuclear Plants Close: Challenges for U.S. Reactor Decommissioning,” will open with a presentation by Katherine Kennedy, director of NRDC’s Energy & Transportation Program.

Click here for registration form.

The agenda includes:

  • A panel discussion on National Perspectives on Decommissioning, 10:30AM – Noon. with Peter Bradford – Former NRC Commissioner, and Former Maine & New York Public Utility Commissioner: State and Federal Roles in Decommissioning Policy: What They Are and What They Could Be Mycle Schneider, a Paris-based independent consultant; Gregory Jaczko, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; David Lochbaum, of the Union of Concerned Scientists; and moderator Geoffrey Fettus, NRDC Senior Attorney.
  • Catered Lunch Break Noon – 1:00 PM.
  • A panel discussion, on State and Local Decommissioning Issues: Focus on New York, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, with Clearwater’s Manna Jo Greene as moderator.

Most of the currently operating U.S. nuclear power reactors are expected to close with age, due to safety reasons and a changing energy economy. The trend has begun with anticipated decommissioning of SONGS in Southern California, Kewaunee in Wisconsin, Vermont Yankee in Vermont and Crystal River in Florida.

Decommissioning more than 100 nuclear reactors will bring serious challenges for state governments and affected communities, as there is limited experience with reactor decommissioning in this country and a lack of consensus between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, reactor operators, states and the public on basic issues, such as:

  • How to provide adequate protection from residual radiation
  • Where and how to site geologic repositories to store highly radioactive reactor components and spent nuclear fuel
  • Source and allocation of funds sufficient for decommissioning.