Anti-nuclear group stalls license renewal for Fermi plant
The 20-year license extension for DTE Energy’s Fermi 2 nuclear power plant has been stalled after an anti-nuclear group filed a motion to reopen safety proceedings.
Earlier this week, Citizens’ Resistance at Fermi 2, with research from the Alliance to Halt Fermi 3, filed a motion to reopen the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board hearings because the organization claims DTE Energy is in violation of the Severe Accident Mitigation Analysis laws because the final environmental impact statement submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not address potassium iodide distribution in the evacuation zone.
“KI saturates the thyroid to prevent it from absorbing radioactive iodine, which protects a most vulnerable organ from cancer,” the group cited in its motion.
Jessie Collins of Redford is co-chairman of CRAFT and said while the motion likely will not prevent the license extension, it will halt it.
“We want to postpone this as long as we can,” she said. “Once the general public realizes the unnecessary dangers, they will help stop Fermi.”
Ms. Collins said her organization’s goal is for the state and DTE Energy to distribute potassium iodide to every household within the emergency planning zone, which is a 10-mile radius from the plant, a radius anti-nuclear groups feel is too small.
“Canada is mailing KI to its residents. Pennsylvania is doing the same,” Ms. Collins said. “It should be extended. The American Thyroid Association recommends a 50-mile radius.”
Ms. Collins credits David Schonberger from Alliance to Halt Fermi 3 for his research, which helped to file the motion.
Guy Cerullo, manager of nuclear communications for DTE Energy, said the renewed license was close to being issued, but the motion to reopen has caused a delay.
“It’s unclear how long this will delay the process,” he said.
