Effects of second Clinton reactor has group steamed

Effects of second Clinton reactor has group steamed

Jun. 23--CLINTON -- By Mike Frazier, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

A consumer advocacy group says construction of an additional nuclear reactor could leave Clinton Lake in hot water -- literally.

That concern is not shared by nuclear, industry or lake officials.

Waters from Clinton Lake are used to cool the plant's reactor. An additional reactor could overtax and heat the lake, cautioned Public Citizen, a Washington, D.C.-based consumer advocacy group. That could cause a plant shutdown or harm the lake's recreational appeal, the group said.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing the potential environmental impact of allowing Exelon Generation Co. to build a second nuclear power station.

The overall conclusion of a draft report is that environmental effects would be "small," said Jan Strasma, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Final findings are expected to be announced in October.

The environmental study is part of a complicated permitting process that would allow Exelon to "bank" the site for up to 20 years. Exelon has announced no decision whether it actually would build another power station.

The man-made lake was built specifically to provide cooling water for the nuclear power plant, and the lake originally was designed to support two reactors, Strasma said. Only one reactor was built.

Exelon intends to use cooling towers to cool the water before it is discharged into the lake, Strasma said.

Ann Mary Carley, a spokeswoman for Exelon Nuclear, said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission performs a "thorough evaluation and review" that indicates there would be "low to no" environmental effect.

Exelon indicated that even if a second plant were built, the lake temperature would stay at or below the temperature currently allowed, said Jim Capel, regional land manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"We provide recreational opportunities -- boating, skiing, fishing, that type of stuff," Capel said. "From every indication we have, we should not be affected if they put in a second plant."

Capel said Exelon has been "really good to work with" and responsive.

Wenonah Hauter, director of Public Citizen's critical mass energy and environment program, voiced environmental and economic concerns.

"A new reactor in Clinton is unnecessary, unsafe and expensive," Hauter stated in a news release. "Nuclear power is not a good deal for the residents of Clinton, and it's not a good deal for the American people."

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