More hearings set for Salem nuclear plant expansion

A mandatory regulatory review of PSEG Power's proposal to build one or more nuclear plants just north of its three-reactor Salem/Hope Creek complex on Artificial Island along the Delaware River southeast of Port Penn is scheduled for next month.

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is scheduled to conduct a hearing on Newark, New Jersey-based PSEG's early site permit application. A three-judge panel will review the application at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, on March 24.

Salem/Hope Creek can generate enough energy to power 3 million homes. PSEG is considering adding one or two 1,000-megawatt reactors depending on the type of technology chosen, a proposal that could cost as much as $16 billion, according to PSEG spokesman Joe Delmar.

The new reactors would likely work in tandem with the facility's existing ones. Currently, the reactors at Salem/Hope Creek are licensed to operate for another 30 years.

Even if the project clears regulatory hurdles, there is no guarantee that PSEG will move forward with the plan. An early site permit, once approved, creates a 20-year window for the utility to begin construction. Delmar said planning for the project began as early as 2008, when the economics were more favorable. However, the recent drop in natural gas prices has made it more cost effective than electricity.

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"Right now the economics don't make sense, but our hope is that somewhere in the 20-year time window the economics will make sense and we can actually pursue construction," Delmar said.

Battle lines have already been drawn over the plan with environmental groups alleging the new reactors will harm the Delaware River's fish and wildlife while industry and labor interests charging the project could be a boon to the region's local economy and employment.

The Delaware Riverkeeper, a multi-state conservation group based in Bristol, Pennsylvania, said  the plant's two reactors are responsible for more than 14 billion fish kills per year, a situation that would only increase if the new reactors are built.

"All the way around this just becomes another level of harm that PSEG would inflict on the Delaware River estuary," said Maya van Rossum, the Riverkeeper's director.

Van Rossum also expressed concern about climate change and rising sea levels, two issues she said would increase if the new reactors are constructed.

"Wetlands and flood plains areas need to be left in a natural condition because nature needs them for the habitat and food they provide for the animal communities and the human communities need them to protect against storm damage that will come further inland," she said.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted its own environmental study and determined the expansion would not have a significant impact on the region's wildlife. Delmar described the study as "extensive."

"After considering the environmental aspects of the proposed NRC action, the NRC staff's recommendation ... is that the [early site permit] be issued as requested," NRC researchers wrote in a November report.

Despite the NRC's findings, van Rossum said she or a member of her staff will attend the ASLB hearing to speak out against the plant.

Those in favor the project, cite employment opportunities it would create. Delmar said at its peak, the expansion would create 4,000 construction jobs while the plant would 400 to 700 permanent jobs. The facility is already the largest Salem County employer with 1,500 jobs.

The ASLB panel will meet at 9 a.m. on March 24 and continue the session into the next day, if necessary. Members of the public may submit a written limited appearance statement if they wish to participate in the hearing.

Contact Jeff Mordock at (302) 324-2786, on Twitter @JeffMordockTNJ or jmordock@delawareonline.com.