Palisades a catastrophe waiting to happen, must be shutdown before it melts down
Catharine Sugas, a local concerned citizen and longtime anti-nuclear watchdog, testifies for Palisades' shutdown at an NRC public meeting in South Haven, Michigan. Photo Credit: Steve Carmody/Michigan RadioWWMT TV 3 interviewed Beyond Nuclear's Kevin Kamps about the problem-plagued Palisades atomic reactor. Kevin charged both Entergy Nuclear and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a cover up, after a survey of Palisades workers -- revealing a complete collapse of safety culture -- was concealed from the media and public for months. In June, U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), acting on a tip from D.C. attorney Billie Pirner Garde, who works with Palisades whistleblowers, revealed the safety culture collapse to the public.
TV 3 later reported Kevin vowing, during testimony before the NRC meeting about Palisades' safety culture in South Haven, Michigan, "We will do our best to keep our eyes on you, because we feel burned countless times by the NRC." Corinne Carey with Don't Waste Michigan was also interviewed: "My family and I live in Grand Rapids, and that 70 miles or so is not far enough should there be a serious problem there. I just became a great-grandma, and I'm worried about my sweet little Emilia Rose."
The St. Joe Herald Palladium reported on the NRC public meeting:
"Wade Adams of Kalamazoo told the NRC he thought the corrective action plan was a 'smokescreen' for Entergy to blame employees for its performance problems.
The real issue, he said, is that Palisades is an old nuclear power plant and will continue to have performance problems.
'It's old and it should be shut down,' Adams said."
TV 8 Grand Rapids also reported on this story, interviewing Benton Harbor resident Bette Pierman, who called for the troubled atomic reactor to be shutdown before catastrophe strikes, radioactively contaminating the region's food and drinking water supply.
Michigan Radio also reported on public calls for Palisades' shutdown:
"The owners of the Palisades nuclear power plant promised last night to improve their 'culture of safety.'
But dozens of people at the public meeting doubted that promise. Catherine Sugas spoke for many people who attended the meeting when she questioned why the problem plagued nuclear power plant is still operating.
'If you can’t shut down a plant that’s dangerous…what are you? How can you keep a plant going that’s obviously dangerous,' Sugas asked a panel from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission." (see photo, above left)
The Kalamazoo Gazette also reported on this story, including concerned local residents and environmental representatives' calls for Palisades to be shutdown.
Like a seen straight out of The Simpson's, where Homer works at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, the Gazette also reported:
"Officials at Wednesday's meeting went into details about how specifically they are working to address the problems, which include increasing communication between employees, having assessments of managers, and having supervisors coach workers on working more safely.
One example is that if employees report a problem or raise a concern, they are rewarded with a candy bar." (emphasis added)
The Gazette also reported on Kevin's talk in Kalamazoo on Sept. 13th, entitled "The Catastrophe Waiting to Happen at Palisades, and What You Can Do to Prevent It!" That event was hosted by Kalamazoo Peace House, and was held at Sunnyside United Methodist Church. Kevin presented a PowerPoint.
Beyond Nuclear issued a media statement.
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Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire compiled more media coverage, including WKZO Radio, which quoted Kevin:
"Longtime anti-nuclear activist Kevin Kamps repeated his desire that he wants Palisades to be shut down during the forum, saying people have been 'burned countless times by the NRC.'"