By Doug Cunningham
Cook Nuclear Power Plant spokesman Bill Schalk says the idea that its nuclear waste pools are “a catastrophe waiting to happen” is ridiculous. He says safety is closely regulated at Cook by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Schalk says an environmental coalition spokesperson who said the Cook waste pools are a catastrophe waiting to happen is flatly opposed to nuclear power.
“That comment’s kinda ridiculous. We have an unbelievable amount of oversight from the federal government as to the safety of the waste in both our pools and our dry cask storage. We have our own high standards and always put the health and safety of the general public first.”
Schalk also maintains that transport of nuclear waste across roads, rail and water in Michigan would be safe.
“There’s already a long history of safely transporting nuclear waste in this country. Just not by commercial nuclear power. At this point extensively the government has done it all the time. So it’s already proven to be safe.”
Schalk says about 20% of electricity in the U.S. is provided by nuclear plants. He says more sustainable energy is needed but nuclear makes an important contribution to the electric power mix.
