TaxWatch, an organization that advocates "intelligent use" of taxpayer dollars, sent a letter Dec. 26 to the commissioners, asking them to drop their appeal of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's decision to allow CP&L to begin preparing two additional waste pools for storage. The NRC staff determined on Dec. 21 that opening the pools posed "no significant hazard."
The controversy centers on a proposal that would make CP&L's Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant the largest storage facility for nuclear waste. An accident would affect a 50-mile radius, which would include Orange County.
The 200-member group has sent letters to the commissioners objecting to the cost of their two-year legal battle with CP&L and NRC. "(Orange County commissioners) spent $140,000 so they can challenge something that Durham County and Wake County don't seem to be worried about," said John Ryan, chairman of TaxWatch.
County Manager John Link said the price tag is the approximate cost to date of legal and scientific consultant fees the county commissioners have paid. That figure does not include the cost of present or future appeals, including a Dec. 22 appeal requesting the NRC to overturn a staff's decision on Dec. 21.
CP&L spokesman Mike Hughes said he agreed with TaxWatch that Orange County has not been responsible with taxpayer money.
Orange County Engineer Paul Thames said safety concerns justify the expense. But Orange County consultants said there is a one in 2,000 chance of an accident in the next 20 to 30 years.
"This is an order of magnitude greater than Chernobyl," Thames said. "I imagine that if you told the Russians that there was something that would cost $150,000 and prevent the same accident, they would say that's a good deal."
Orange County Commissioner Barry Jacobs said while the Durham County commissioners are not challenging the licensing amendment independently, they are supporting the Orange County effort by helping to bear the financial burden of the legal fight. He also said Wake County has a financial interest in working with CP&L instead of Orange County.
But Jacobs said TaxWatch's objections will not change the Orange County commissioners' determination to challenge the expansion at the Shearon Harris storage facility.
