Critics blast contract for Bellefonte generators.--Nuclear fuels process, sickness and death.

Critics blast contract for Bellefonte generators - timesfreepress.com

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COPY OF THE COMPLAINT LETTER .

To The Office of the Tenneesse Valley Authority Inspector General;

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Complaint: Regarding the design and construction by contract of 2 steam generators for the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant prior to TVA Board approval of construction.

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Per news article, "Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Energy, Inc., has been notified of a contract award from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to design and manufacture two steam generators for the Bellefonte Unit 1 Plant as a part of the Bellefonte completion project." link:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bw-to-design-and-manufacture-steam-generators-for-tvas-bellefonte-unit-1-plant-2010-10-14?reflink=MW_news_stmp

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The purchase by contract is being made prior to the approval of the construction phase of the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant. The "letting" of this contract prior to approval by the TVA Board could result in a financial loss to the TVA. As a minimum the approval of "letting" contracts of this nature relating to the construction of the nuclear plant places the "cart before the horse" and circumvents the approval process of the TVA Board. Unless the TVA is now saying the Board is insignificant and subordinate to the executive decision making of the TVA's executive officers. Surely the TVA Board is not engaged in a secret "star chamber exercise" in violation of the Federal Sunshine Laws?

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Request: 1) Determine if law or policy has been violated due to the letting of this contract prior to the official approval of the TVA Board concerning construction outcome of the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Unit 1. 2) Was there a violation of the Federal Sunshine law or Federal contract requirement law or policy concerning this purchase in lieu of no formal approval of the TVA Board concerning construction of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Unit 1. 3) Does this contract undermine the legal process of the TVA Act and the approvals of such matters of construction prior to formal action of the TVA Board?

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Please notify the undersigned of the receipt of this complaint and outcome. END OF COMPLAINT.

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Research discloses it will cost in excess of $300 million dollars. (Not considering the additional transportation costs involved in transport to Alabama). Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) article, http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/news-video-of-three-mile-islands-steam.html The TVA Board authorized $248 million for "study and engineering feasibility" for the Bellefonte Nuclear project. Note in the NEI article about the tubing to be replaced at Three Mile Island nuclear plant, the same type of tubing was removed from the Bellefonte plant during its cannibalization 4 years ago. Scrap of Bellefonte sold for $49 million in 2006, http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/mar/29/alabama-salvaging-bellefonte/ not very cost effective. THE CANILIBAZATION INCLUDED THE STEAM GENERATORS, an integral component of the reactor power generation system.

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UPDATE: The TVA's actions in this matter appears to violate the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA) as there is no authority or funds to purchase the steam generators without the specific approval of the TVA Board. 31 U.S.C. § 1341. The ADA prohibits the Federal Government from entering into a contract that is not "fully funded" because doing so would obligate the government in the absence of an appropriation adequate to the needs of the contract. http://www.gao.gov/ada/antideficiency.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Deficiency_Act

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THE TRUTH OF THE NUCLEAR FUELS PROCESS, IT KILLS. FACTS AND VIDEO LINKS.

"Politifact article" http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/apr/22/lamar-alexander/facts-risks-nuclear-power-plants/ .

"No member of the American public has ever been killed by commercial nuclear power — a record unmatched by other fuels." by Lamar Alexander

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My Reply TO "POLITIFACT": NOT TRUE. (Politifact or Sen. Lamar Alexander refuses to answer my charge they are not telling the truth in support of the multinational nuclear corporations. Alexander receives PAC and corporate contributions from the nuclear industry or their representatives.)

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Nuclear Industry workers have been killed by commercial nuclear power. The nuclear fuel processing facilities are the nuclear industry's dirty little secret. If there was no commercial nuclear power the fuel fabrication facilities would not be in operation. Nuclear fuel workers sickness and deaths http://vimeo.com/1792087 {note the number of claims at 1min 57 sec into video, also note 7min 10 sec thru 7mim 20 sec into the video how difficult it is to acquire claims approval for the exposed workers "radiation is not a toxic substance." ) NOTE BELOW THE CURRENT CLAIMS, benefits paid.

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Radiation death damage suit- http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_664868.html

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Three Mile Island (TMI), Killer of Babies- http://www.ratical.org/radiation/KillingOurOwn/KOO14.html "But in fact, said Sternglass, these "preliminary" figures showed an infant-death rate within that ten-mile radius of 7.2 per 1000 live births in 1978; in 1979, after the accident, the number had risen to 15.7 per 1000--a more than doubling. The numbers for infant-death rates within a five-mile radius of TMI--though small--were even more damning. In 1978 the rate had been 2.3 infant deaths per 1000 live births; in 1979, after the accident, it was 16.2--a jump by a factor of seven."

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Benefits paid including death benefits to survivors at: Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/charts/paducah.htm

Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion

http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/charts/portsmouth.htm

Stats: (billions of $$ in claims) Part B&E summary- http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/weeklystats.htm#1

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Video's of those already dead and those dying-- http://www.wildclearing.com/ice-ages/the-exposed.html A special lady tells her story- http://www.wildclearing.com/ice-ages/pike-vina.html Mike Drivers story-- http://www.wildclearing.com/ice-ages/paducah-driver.html

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"People in power who produce within the nuclear fuel chain count costs more than people and thus people become contaminated in deadly ways -- then the contaminated people are finessed or lied to, and suffer in sickness and death as do those they are intimately associated with.

* People who should be holding the producers accountable in the public interest don't, or won't, or don't know how to, or try to but run into obstacles and are discredited or don't have the resources to carry on their struggle.

* People who are sick, dying, and their survivors, have extreme difficulty in finding out how they got that way, then when they do, in finding remedies that will help them, in whatever arena and labyrinth.

* People who struggle against this betrayal each and all have a story that ought to be heard and taken to heart. The film and posted video clips aim to be a way their stories can be heeded.

* In particular, one of the supposed remedies, the EEOICPA (Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act), is flawed, and for many represents just another betrayal.

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Lamar Alexander is a politician who is more concerned with the nuclear corporations bottom line, he is a pawn to the nuclear power brokers. I would hope the folks at "PolitiFact" do not follow in his foot steps demonstrating loyalty to the corporation instead of concern for the people being sickened and dying from the nuclear fuels process. In the statistics and video stories I have listed for you there are many facts which will demonstrate thousands are currently sick, dying and dead as a result of commercial nuclear power. This tragedy has not occurred in the commercial reactor facility itself but as a result of the nuclear fuels process. As the old saying goes, "6 of one, half a dozen of the other;" the results are the same.

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You may discover more about the dangers of nuclear power at http://www.matrr.org/

TVA, Bellefonte

Quote from Ms. Louise Gorenflo in the Chattanooga Times Free Press article: "TVA simply doesn’t need to take the risk and spend the money for this plant if it would do more to encourage energy conservation,” member, Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team (BEST). http://www.matrr.org/

Link to Chattanooga Times Free Press article: TVA wants to finish original Bellefonte reactor - timesfreepress.com

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Link from the Daily Sentinel on the subject: http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=03162787b390c050

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al.com News Flash link: http://www.al.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-126/1274734576231130.xml&storylist=alabamanews

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TVA's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement mentioned in both articles contains substantial inaccuracies which will be addressed by BEST members and other environmental groups in their reply to the TVA.

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Within this blog, The Nuclear Deception: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20nuclear%20deception

Nuclear Power--Nuclear Meltdown for France

Location of French Nuclear Plants. 80% of Frances nuclear power is produced from these plants.

TVA's Bellefonte Dream. Artists conception of Nuclear Reactor Units 1,2,3, and 4. Units 1 & 2 are currently 50% complete. Units 3 & 4 are in the planning phase and not approved either as to the reactor design or site construction. The NRC has granted a "Terminated Status" concerning the stripped Reactors of Units 1 & 2. The NRC is being sued concerning the reinstatement of construction permits that were previously cancelled. The reinstatement of the cancelled construction permits without due process violated the NRC's Atomic Licensing policy.

The ghostly cooling towers of Bellefonte Units 1 & 2 set idle. Approximately $4-5 billion has been spent to date in the Bellefonte project with no power being generated since construction began in the late 1970's. To complete units 1 & 2 it is estimated that costs will be from $6-8 billion at current market values. Costs are estimated at $18 billion currently for the construction of units 3 & 4.

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Much has been said about the benefits of French Nuclear power. What is not said is the key to the rest of the story. The short of it, the French are in trouble financially over the French Nuclear program . They have placed all their "power eggs" into the "one nuclear basket" and they are being crushed by economic conditions and nuclear accidents. A truth that America's Nuclear industry is attempting to hide.

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"The myth of a successful nuclear power industry in France has melted into financial chaos.
With it dies the corporate-hyped poster child for a "nuclear renaissance" of new reactor construction that is drowning in red ink and radioactive waste."

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"Areva, France's nationally-owned corporate atomic facade, has plunged into a deep financial crisis led by a devastating shortage of cash." The rest of the story from "Counter Punch, America's best political newsletter." http://www.counterpunch.org/wasserman03192009.html

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The following fact sheet was compiled by Bill Reynolds of Chattanooga, Tn., a fellow Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team Member.

"French Nuclear Power – Hidden Problems Revealed"

What you hear and see in American mainstream media about nuclear power in France is created and controlled by the nuclear industry’s powerful, extremely well-organized and well-financed “public relations” campaign. They are out to sell you as many of their extremely expensive nuclear reactors [as] our government and largest electric power corporations will buy, with money collected from you and me. Their sales campaign has effectively brainwashed many of America’s elected officials into believing such things as French-style nuclear power is clean, safe, affordable, and has solved the problems of radioactive waste. So you hear this sales message of the nuclear industry not only from the mouths of the industry’s highly skilled and highly paid salesmen and lobbyists, but also from the mouths of a lot of America’s high ranking government officials. Meanwhile, the serious and dangerous problems in French nuclear power are covered up so you do not hear about those. Only research by real experts who look for the whole truth reveals the covered-up problems and dangers. The following accounts some big problems uncovered by those experts.

· On July 8, 2008, the AREVA1 subsidiary-operated Tricastin nuclear facility in France spilled uranium into two rivers that provided drinking and irrigation water to the local communities. On July 23, at least 100 workers were contaminated during an accident at one of the four reactors at the Tricastin site. On August 6, the French nuclear security agency (ASN) announced the same facility had also emitted unacceptable levels of Carbon-14 radioactive gas throughout June and July that year.

· In August, 2003, during a severe heat wave in France, Electricite de France (EDF) 2 was permitted to discharge cooling water at such high temperatures that it kills aquatic life by cooking it.

· The high level of French standardization in reactor design increases significantly the risk of costly and potentially dangerous generic faults. A recently discovered steam generator plugging issue is only one of the latest in a series of generic safety related problems.

· Tons of radioactive waste has accumulated in the area called La Hague on France’s west coast. The earliest [that] France’s government projects they will open a permanent nuclear waste repository is 2015. [We have substantial reason to doubt the reliability of this timeline projection because, after decades of trying, neither the U.S, France, nor any other nation in the world, has developed a single permanent disposal site.]

· France discharges 100 million gallons of radioactive waste per year into the English Channel. [!!] This waste has spread all the way from there to the Arctic. Twelve of fifteen western European countries have asked France to stop discharging this radioactivity into the sea and France refuses to comply.

· France has long been extracting plutonium from spent nuclear power plant fuel rods using the so-called “reprocessing” technology. France’s reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel does NOT “recycle” the spent fuel because only about 1% of the spent fuel becomes new fuel for reactors. The other 99% remains radioactive waste that must be kept in extremely secure storage to protect the public from being harmed. (Go to http://www.ieer.org/ for further technical info about French rad waste.)

· Reprocessing extracts plutonium & uranium from spent fuel. Plutonium is the fuel in atomic and hydrogen bombs. Only one-millionth of a gram of plutonium can cause cancer. Reprocessing operations release dangerous levels of radioactivity into the surrounding environment, contaminating workers at the plants. Reprocessing creates millions of gallons of intensely corrosive acidic radioactive liquid waste.

· A significant number of France’s population have been protesting against elements of their nation’s nuclear power industry since 1987. Access to information on nuclear issues has been restricted in France. A 2007 study revealed that 59% of French citizens were in favor of a reduction of nuclear in their national energy sources. In a 2008 poll, 82% of French citizens “totally agree” or “tended to agree” with the statement “THERE IS NO SAFE WAY OF GETTING RID OF HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE.”

1. AREVA, a world-leading nuclear power development corporation, is more than 90% owned by the French State. AREVA has a record of mismanagement and its financial security is plummeting.
2. EDF is the largest nuclear developer in the world. It is a French-state controlled conglomerate. EDF is the main electricity generation and distribution company in France.

Bellefonte Nuclear Opponents Speak Out At Hearing

http://www.bredl.org/pdf2/BEST-PressRelease-NRCScoping040308.pdf



DID YOU KNOW?
The cost of Bellefonte units 3 and 4 built today would cost at least$20 billion nearly doubling TVA’s debt of $25 billion. The two reactors will draw 71 million gallons of water per day from the Guntersville Reservoir. That is more than all the public water systems in the Guntersville watershed combined. Bellefonte plant is near the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, considered
one of the most active seismic areas east of the Rocky Mountains. A Texas study found increased cancer rates in north central Texas since the Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant went online in 1992. There are 4 units now within 50 miles of Huntsville and 2 within 50 miles of
Chattanooga.


Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League: http://www.bredl.org/ (Photos by Tom Moss) Last photo members of the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, BEST.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) link on Nuclear Power Safety. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/nuclear_safety/