Aboul Khan’s Remarks to the NRC, February 13, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/seabrooktownhall/videos/315255739335153/
Remarks by Aboul Khan to NRC
February 13, 2019
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is Aboul Khan, and I represent the Seabrook Board of Selectmen in my capacity as a Selectmen, as well as representing Seabrook and Hampton Falls as a State Representative. Selectwoman Theresa Kyle is with us today, and our Board Chair Ella Brown is out of town on vacation. I come before you today to speak in favor of the NRC granting a license amendment to Seabrook Station, as well as asking favorable consideration of the twenty- year license extension sought by Seabrook Station.
As a representative of the host community I can assure you that we strongly support the safe operation of Seabrook Station. Like many people we were concerned about the issue of concrete degradation, or ASR, and eager to understand how that issue would impact the safe operation of Seabrook Station. We very much appreciate the comprehensive approach to this issue taken by the N.R.C. and NextEra, who have worked jointly since 2010 to study the ramifications of ASR on the plant. The work done on this issue has been extensive, with the results showing that Seabrook Station can be operated safely, as it has been for many years. I am not a scientist, but I am satisfied that the long years of work on ASR, culminating in the letter issued by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, should lead to the license amendment sought by NextEra.
I would also like to express our strong support for the license extension of twenty years sought by NextEra. This process began with a presentation to the Seabrook Board of Selectmen back in the 2010 time-frame, with constant communication between NextEra and the Town of Seabrook, and the Town Manager since then. Our support for this extension comes principally, but not exclusively, for the same reason we support the license amendment. We believe Seabrook Station can be operated safely for the entirety of the extension period. It is our strong belief that nuclear power has a vital role to play in the U.S. energy market, with carbon free generation helping us to meet important climate goals. Seabrook Station has achieved a great safety record due to superior management, as well as a willingness to make the necessary investments to operate the plant safely, and profitably. They have also been a terrific corporate citizen, partnering with the Town of Seabrook on a host of issues that the Town considers to be important. In light of the outstanding record compiled by Seabrook Station over the years we, the Seabrook Board of Selectmen, fully endorse and support the twenty year license extension sought by NextEra, and I thank you for hearing me today.
