Methane Gas Levels in the Gulf Continue to Raise Coastal Nuke Concerns

“Astonishingly high” levels of methane gas from the BP oil spill are entrained in a submerged plume in the water of the Gulf of Mexico with renewed concern according to a breaking story by an Alabama TV news station.  The discovery has raised more questions about the safety of coastal nuclear power plant operations as a result of the oil catastrophe.  One water sample amounting to about two cups of water taken from along a boom line resulted in a small explosion in a testing laboratory flask possibly as the result of a chemical reaction with high methane levels and/or volatile oil dispersants. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not yet responded to a June 14, 2010 inquiry from Beyond Nuclear and two other safe energy organizations regarding potential risks to coastal nuclear power plant operations as a result of the oil spill, submerged contamination and entrained explosive gases. The focus remains on Florida’s Gulf Coast Crystal River nuclear power station which shut down for extensive repairs before the Deepwater Horizon spill. During full power operation the nuclear power plant will take in approximately one billion gallons of Gulf water each day for the reactor coolant system. In light of the extensive contamination in the Gulf, the NRC must make public its safety analysis for reactor operations before Crystal River is allowed to restart in September 2010.