WASHINGTON, DC- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a long time advocate for strong nuclear plant safety regulations and enforcement thereof, today sent a letter to Nils J. Diaz, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) asking questions about safety problems at nuclear reactor sites in Illinois, as well as at other reactors nationwide, and the adverse health effect they might have on people living nearby. The letter requested information about the circumstances surrounding and the impact of releasing millions of gallons of water laced with dangerous radioactive tritium into communities located near several Illinois reactors owned by Exelon.

“I have long been concerned about whether there are any adverse health impacts associated with living near nuclear reactors,” said Rep. Markey.  “The members of this community and others across the country deserve straight answers on the nuclear leaks, prompt action to clean up the sites and accountability for those responsible. But so far, instead of action, Exelon and the Bush NRC have adopted a “see no evil, hear no evil” policy of silence and stonewalling.

Rep. Markey added, “These questions need to be answered immediately.  There can be no more foot dragging when it comes to the health and safety of America’s communities.  This agency needs to stop defending the companies and start defending the victims of radioactive spills.”

The letter sent from Markey to the NRC asked numerous questions about the impact of the leaks on Grundy County, IL – citing increasing infant mortality rates and rates of pediatric cancer published by the Illinois Department of Public Health.  The statistics reveal that the rate of Leukemia in Grundy County is 50% higher for men and 100% higher for women compared to cancer rates in the rest of the state.  It is his second letter to the NRC on this topic; the NRC failed to provide complete responses to the Congressman’s earlier query. 

Rep. Markey has long been fighting for answers on the effects of nuclear reactors on the health of communities.  In June 2005, the National Academy of Sciences produced a report which determined that there is “no safe level of radiation” for communities near nuclear facilities.  Most recently, Rep. Markey offered amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to create a $10 million peer-reviewed competitively selected grant program at the Department of Energy to study the effects of nuclear facilities on public health. The amendments failed largely along party lines.  Markey will continue to offer this legislation to ensure that we find answers to the questions which remain on the affect of nuclear facilities on surrounding communities.

For a copy of the letter sent to the NRC or more information on Rep. Markey’s fight to protect communities from nuclear contamination check out: http://markey.house.gov/

 Copy of First Letter to the NRC (1/28/05) (1.02 MB)
 Copy of Second Letter to the NRC (3/8/06) (197.84 KB)