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Opinions mixed at Clinton Power Station hearing
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@mchsi.com
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CLINTON -- Public comments for and against a second nuclear reactor in Clinton were offered Wednesday at a hearing sponsored by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

A crowd of about 100 people attended the meeting, far fewer than the estimated 300 who came to a similar public comment session in April 2005.

Exelon Generating Co. is seeking an early site permit for a possible second reactor at the Clinton Power Station east of Clinton. Approval of the permit would not authorize construction of a new plant, but it would give plant owners a 20-year window to make a decision on a new reactor.

Several local residents offered comments in support of the plant, based on the economic benefit a second unit could bring to the area.

Joe Alexander said the existing plant has not affected the county’s good quality of life. Wildlife, including deer and fish, are abundant at Clinton Lake, a cooling lake for the power plant, said Alexander.

“It’s unrealistic to say that nuclear energy is not a clean, efficient source of energy,” said Alexander.

Clinton environmental science teacher Karen Lowery said the unresolved storage for nuclear waste is an issue that cannot be ignored. The storage issue, combined with the potential hazards of transporting waste through the country, makes an early site permit a bad proposition, said Lowery.

“I think nuclear waste is the No. 1 reason we can’t support another reactor here in Clinton, Illinois,” said the science teacher.

Other opponents came from as far away as Chicago to voice their concerns for the permit.

The NRC is expected to release its ruling on the permit in the next several months.

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Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

hmm wrote on Nov 9, 2006 6:47 PM:

" they been raising rates all along, in case y'all missed it. just like the gas companies, the executives & ceo's are grabbing your dough with both hands & nobody has the guts to stop them "

Woodford Pundit wrote on Nov 9, 2006 4:02 PM:

" The station came online April 24, 1987 and reached 100 percent power on September 15, 1987. The initial construction cost for the station was $4.25 billion. Clinton Power Station’s reactor was designed by General Electric. The unit is capable of generating nearly 1,043 net megawatts. They say that's enough power for one million average American homes. "

to "huh?" et al wrote on Nov 9, 2006 1:00 PM:

" The consortium that built the Clinton plant, including IP, sold it a few years ago amid problems with their operations of the plant. (threats from the NRC to pull license for poor scores, etc.) Sale price was said to be around $20 Million for a plant the cost Billions to build. I think that I could even make money on that one!!!! "

OK FYI wrote on Nov 9, 2006 10:57 AM:

" So which company actually paid to have the Clinton Plant built? I was an apprentice carpenter there in the mid-late 70's, and I thought IP built it. "

FYI wrote on Nov 9, 2006 8:49 AM:

" IP does not generate any of its own electricity, it just provides poles and wires, it has to buy electricity from the generating companies. "

huh? wrote on Nov 9, 2006 2:29 AM:

" Who is Exelon Generating Co.? I thought Illinois Power built this thing. If so, did IP or Ameren IP sell it? No wonder they want to raise rates. They created a middle man. This plant, even though rates were raised to pay for it, was supposed to save us money. What a bunch of crap. I sure hope the newly elected democrats tell these ripoff energy companies to bug off! "
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