Nelson: Corps Says Nuclear Plant Safety Key, and will Conduct Full Assessment of its Flood Management

Press Release

Today, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have told him in a letter that safety of Nebraska's nuclear power plants has been factored into its flood management plans, and that the Corps will conduct a full-scale assessment of this year's floods to make any needed adjustments in the future.

"While the Corps and Nuclear Regulatory Commission continue to give assurances that neither of Nebraska's nuclear power plants is at risk, we have been assured by the Corps that a full-scale assessment of this year's flood will be conducted to determine where changes may be necessary to prevent future flooding," said Senator Nelson.

"It is encouraging to hear that the Corps, the NRC and the plant managers have been communicating about the impact of the reservoir releases on the Fort Calhoun and Cooper power plants. They say they plan to continue to share information throughout this flood, and that's imperative.

"In their letter, the Corps says it's worked closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Nebraska plant operators and have not identified any significant safety issues requiring changes to water release plans.

"Looking ahead, the Corps must put the safety of these nuclear power plants at the forefront of how it manages the Missouri River Basin and future flooding events.

"The Corps also must communicate with Nebraskans more clearly, so they will know that the safety of the nuclear plants is considered in the planning for the next flood -- before it happens," said Nelson.

Last week, Nelson sent a letter to Brig. Gen. John McMahon, who oversees management of the Missouri River Basin for the Army Corps of Engineers. Nelson pointed out the comments of a Corps spokesman stating that Nebraska's two nuclear power plants are not being factored into the Corps' schedule of dam releases and that there is "no flexibility in the system."

Nelson asked McMahon to clarify those comments and explain what steps the Corps is taking with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the plant managers to make sure the plants are safe and, more importantly, that the public is safe.

On Friday evening, Nelson received a letter from McMahon which read: "First, I want to assure you that the safety of the public is the Corps' number one priority during this historic flood along the Missouri River. The Corps has been engaged in an open and ongoing dialogue with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Omaha Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District for the last several weeks.

"I assure you, it is fully our intent to continue this partnership and exchange clear and accurate information throughout this flood event so the Corps can continue to assess the impacts of reservoir releases on the nuclear power plants."

In his letter to McMahon, Nelson called for the Corps to do a "full-scale assessment of its procedures and actions along the Missouri River" once the floodwater recedes.

McMahon responded that a thorough examination of the Corps procedures will be conducted. He wrote: "2011 will certainly be a new data point in the history of the Missouri River Basin, both in terms of hydrology and flood plain impacts. The Corps will conduct a full-scale assessment of this year's flood to determine the effects and learn where adjustments might be warranted in the future."

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