After public outcry, feds will conduct extensive study of SC nuclear fuel plant
Following state concerns about previously unknown pollution at an atomic fuel plant near Columbia, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Friday that it will conduct an extensive environmental study of the Westinghouse fuel factory.
The detailed study is expected to delay by a year any decision on a new license for the plant while the agency looks into environmental problems that have surfaced in recent years.
Friday’s NRC decision marks the first time the agency has ever conducted a full environmental impact statement before deciding if a nuclear fuel fabrication plant should be relicensed, NRC spokesman Roger Hannah said. The plant’s owner, Westinghouse, wants a new 40-year-operating license for the plant, built in 1969.
“In March 2020, the NRC received new data collected by Westinghouse during ongoing site investigations,’’ the agency said in a news release Friday afternoon. “Based on the NRC’s independent evaluation of the new data .... the NRC decided it could no longer conclude that renewal of the license would result in a finding of no significant impact’’ to the environment.
Westinghouse has operated the plant in a wooded area of eastern Richland County for 51 years. The company has a history of spills, leaks and accidents. Those problems have caused groundwater pollution, but some of that contamination has only been discovered since 2018. Neighbors have raised concerns about safety and well water contamination.
While some groundwater pollution dates back decades, accidents have continued to happen. In 2016, federal regulators discovered a buildup of uranium in an air pollution control device that could have caused a burst of radiation. In 2018, the company found a leak of uranium solution through a hole in the plant floor.
Most recently, state regulators have learned that an aging liner in a waste lagoon is wearing out, raising the possibility that radioactive contaminants are leaking into groundwater.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control called for a full environmental impact statement after finding rising pollution levels in ponds on the site. In early May, DHEC said a smaller environmental study, completed in 2019, was not adequate.
In a letter written Friday from the NRC to Westinghouse, the agency noted multiple concerns that justify the need for a more detailed environmental study.
Among other things, the agency said nobody knows yet what has caused Technetium 99, a radioactive material, to affect the property. The agency said questions also surround a new plume of uranium contamination in groundwater, as well as toxic compounds in wells below two lakes.
“This new information reveals uncertainty related to the source and extent of contamination onsite and the potential future migration pathways offsite,’’ the letter said.
The Westinghouse plant, which employs more than 1,000 people, is one of only three nuclear fuel factories of its kind in the United States. The plant, located a few miles from Congaree National Park, makes fuel rods for the nation’s atomic energy plants. Factories in North Carolina and Washington state also make nuclear fuel.
In seeking a new license, Westinghouse had hoped to get ahead of the lengthy process it can take to gain NRC approval. The existing license does not expire until 2027. A new license, if issued before that, would take its place.
Tom Clements, a nuclear safety watchdog in Columbia, said it appears that the NRC listened to concerns by the public and state regulators.
“That is very encouraging to hear,’’ Clements said. “It took a clamor from the public before they would do the right thing. I’m glad they have finally done this.’’
State Rep. Wendy Brawley, D-Richland, said a detailed study is important because people in her community have concerns pollution from the plant could pollute their well water.
State regulators and Westinghouse have said contaminated groundwater remains on the property. They also have said the flow of groundwater is toward the Congaree River, rather than homes in the Hopkins community. But Brawley said that issue needs more study, and the more detailed review by the NRC will help.
“We operate off well water, I have well water,’’ she said. “People are really concerned about that resource. If there are not enough checks and balances on the issues at Westinghouse .... people are concerned they will be negatively impacted.’’
Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler said a full environmental study is needed to help ensure the Congaree River and nearby creeks don’t suffer from plant pollution.
“We are concerned about the groundwater pollution on site that is migrating toward the creek and eventually the Congaree River,’’ Stangler said. “We are concerned about the overall safety of that facility and the potential for more releases.’’
The NRC’s less comprehensive 2019 environmental study concluded that a new operating license would not cause undue harm to the environment.
A Westinghouse spokesperson was not immediately available, but said a statement was forthcoming. The company maintains that the plant is safe and any pollution that has leaked out is contained to the property.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 4:09 PM.
