Worried about nuclear power plants near Raleigh (Charlotte, Southport: new construction, move to)

[undecided]

I am contemplating a move to Raleigh but I recently found out about nuclear power plants near Raleigh. I also read about the possible construction of more reactors.
Does anybody know about these and the implications ?

[mm34b]

I'm only aware of 3 plants in the state. The closest one to Raleigh is the Harris plant operated by Progress Energy. The plant is located 22 miles SW of Raleigh, near the town of New Hill. It's been in operation for almost 20 years. The plant has never had a shutdown or an accident but has been fined twice by the NRC.

As far as new ones go, I don't think the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a new construction permit for anywhere in the U.S in over 30 years.

[NYer]

we have one in Connecticut but if there was a problem we would be affected since it is less than 30 miles away as the crow flies. Mercifully there have been no problems. It's always something, if we want power we have to have power plants...

[aurabella]

There was some talk recently about building another reactor at Harris, but with the recent security issues, I don't see it happening. I go out there a lot because there is a wonderful park and lake there. I've never had any concern with the plant.

[nyrfan1]

wouldn't worry all that much about it. Anything from here to Richmond, VA and South to Charleston would probably be quite affected by any kind of major "accident".

[mm34b]

Current Operating Nuclear Power Reactors located within NC

Brunswick (2 miles north of Southport) - Two reactors on site.

McGuire (17 miles northwest of Charlotte) - Two reactors on site.

Shearon Harris (20 miles southwest of Raleigh) - One reactor on site.

Progress Energy currently has an application pending with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the construction of additional reactors at the Shearon Harris site.

http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/new-licensing-files/expected-new-rx-applications.pdf (broken link)

[OmegaBaby]

Originally Posted by aurabella

There was some talk recently about building another reactor at Harris, but with the recent security issues, I don't see it happening. I go out there a lot because there is a wonderful park and lake there. I've never had any concern with the plant.

Actually, from the news I've been hearing, it seems rather certain that they're going to be able to put more reactors online. The plant was built to support 4 reactors, and they're only running 1 right now.

Although, I'd rather have a nuclear power plant next to me than a coal power plant any day. Coal power plants release way more radioactivity into the environment than nuclear power plants (since coal has small amounts of radioactive elements in it), and they also release other nasty things into the air like mercury and sulphur.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by undecided

I am contemplating a move to Raleigh but I recently found out about nuclear power plants near Raleigh. I also read about the possible construction of more reactors.
Does anybody know about these and the implications ?

What implications? There isn't an area of the country that doesn't have a plant, and as things go, this one is safe.

[Chimp]

Actually there are states that do not have nuclear power plants. (maine and montana are two that come to mind...I am sure there are more.) However I don't see them as too much a problem but they do give me a twinge....I think it is the same for other people too...

[miamiblue]

I grew up about as far away from a nuclear power plant as the Shearon Harris plant is from Raleigh and there's nothing wrong with me!



All jokes aside, I do not think there is much reason to worry since catastrohpic events such as meltdowns are extremely rare if you look at the history of plants operating within the US and around the world.