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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) could make yet
another bad decision very soon. This time, the NRC could
produce a generic environmental impact statement for what it
labels small-scale “advanced” nuclear reactors (ANRs).
There are several reasons why this is a terrible idea.
Among other things, the NRC has no experience regulating
so-called “advanced” nuclear reactors. There are also dozens
of potential types of such reactors, which makes creating a
generic environmental impact statement about them nothing less
than fiction. In addition, there’s no reason to think these
reactors are less dangerous or more environmentally friendly
than current ones. The list goes on and on.
The NRC is accepting comments about this proposal right
now. It’s time to remind them that the NRC’s mission is to
protect the health and safety of the American people, not
advance the interests of the nuclear industry. Tell
the NRC: No generic review for untested nuclear
reactors.
The comments you’ll send detail a host of issues for why
producing a generic review for ANRs is a bad idea. Among them
is the fact that “advanced” reactors would generate many
different kinds of radioactive waste that would be even more
difficult to manage than those produced by the current
light-water reactors. Non-light water reactors have also been
known to have significant safety risks for decades. And if you
care about climate change, ANRs are no match for wind, solar,
and energy efficiency.
Another important reason ties deeply with the recent
protests we’ve seen against police violence and
institutionalized racism: Small-scale ANRs will have
significant environmental justice impacts. At every stage of
the nuclear fuel cycle, polluting facilities and activities
have been located disproportionately on indigenous peoples’
lands and in African American, Latinx, and other communities
of color. There is no reason to expect that to change with
ANRs.
The NRC should be looking out for the health and safety
of all Americans, not making it easier for the nuclear
industry to get rich while polluting our environment. Tell
the NRC: No generic review for untested nuclear
reactors.
Expect to hear more from us this summer about this and
other important issues related to nuclear energy. In the
meantime, stay healthy and safe.
Thanks for all you do,
The NIRS Team
Diane D'Arrigo
Luis Hestres
Denise Jakobsberg
Tim
Judson
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