Should we be concerned about the Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant? (Washington: living in, stores)

[normie]

On the news they are discussing problems with the Mark 1 nuclear plants. Apparently they were built "on the cheap." They showed the list of Mark 1 nuclear plants in the US. We don't have any in Virginia, but one called Peach Bottom is 50 miles southeast of Harrisburg, PA.

What do you think about this? Is that a little close for comfort, or too far away to be something to worry about?

I looked it up on Wikipedia and saw on March 31, 1987 Peach Bottom units 2 and 3 shutdown due to cooling malfunctions and unexplained equipment problems. Granted, that was 24 years ago, and there doesn't seem to be anything that's happened more recently, but I also note this plant was built in the 50s, so it's older than the one in Japan.

I wonder if any of you forum regulars know a little bit about this plant? Does anyone know if we here in Nova have any reason to be concerned?

[roninsedge]

No, real big reason to be concerned. Thankfully the U.S. nuclear regulatory agencies are Johnny on the Spot with ensuring that everything is working properly and is safely maintained. The only thing that we really have to worry about is a natural disaster on the scale of what hit Japan. If that happens, I would worry about being anywhere on the East Coast at all.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by roninsedge

If that happens, I would worry about being anywhere on the East Coast at all.

Good point. If a tsunami wave of that magnitude was to hit an inland site like Harrisburg, it would have to be one humongous tsunami wave.

[michgc]

Personally, I wouldn't want to live within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. Beyond that, I'm not sure there's much we can do. There seem to be nuclear power plants up and down the East Coast.
NRC: Map of Power Reactor Sites

Even if there's little chance a tsunami would hit, I imagine there are other natural disasters, human error, or terrorism that could cause an accident. At that point, I think we just have to grin and bear it. Or we can move to the Great Plains. There does not seem to be many plants there. In the meantime, keep your eye out for Blinky the one-eyed fish in the Potomac. If you see him, we may all be in trouble.

[terrence81]

Actually I do believe Blinky (on the Simpsons) was three eyed.

Yeah I think people are getting a little uptight about what's going on in Japan. They say that stores on the west coast are running out of iodine. Did anyone read that article in the Post?

Japan nuclear crisis triggers run on anti-radiation pills - The Washington Post

A side effect from living in the information age. No I think we'll be fine. I'm not concerned about the Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant at the same time I don't think we need to be building anymore nuclear power plants.

[michgc]

Doh! It's been quite a few years since I've seen that episode. Thanks for the correction.

Originally Posted by terrence81

Actually I do believe Blinky (on the Simpsons) was three eyed.

[hilsmom]

my parents lived just south of three mile island (in cecil county, md) during their meltdown. They didn't even realize how close they were until they were being told they MIGHT have to evacuate.

we lived in that section of MD and then right across the line in DE for many years. The threat is always there - there are several nuclear plants in NJ with horrid safety records. BUT, it wasn't something we worried about on a daily basis.

If you live within 20 miles, you probably should have those pills just to be safe. Further and the country would likely have to be experiencing a full scale nuclear crisis for it to be a problem - I'm talking the plant exploded kind of crisis like in russia.

I'm actually trying to figure out what happens to people who already have thyroid disease in case of radiation exposure. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and am curious if I can even take the KI pills - can't find much out there.

[oneasterisk]

I'd be more worried about Lake Anna, but I'm not worrying at all. I'm fine with nucleaur power and 3 eyed fish. Lake Anna is nice and warm too

[Caladium]

Hey, having that extra eye can be a handy thing!

[BMWZ4RUlz]

Not funny stuff-a good friend of mine's sister had exposure to the Three Mile Island disaster and they spent year in court trying to recoup medical expenses. Very sad stuff.

I don't care what anyone says-I would never support nuclear power.