Forum to address nuclear plants in the terrorism age

By Michelle Firmbach

PORTSMOUTH - While many people may dismiss the possibility of a nuclear disaster at Seabrook Station, the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League raises the question: Who ever would have thought terrorists would fly planes into skyscrapers?

The Seacoast Anti-Pollution League (SAPL) will be holding a community forum titled "Living with Our Nuclear Neighbor at Seabrook in the Age of Terrorism" on Tuesday.

The event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the main sanctuary of the Unitarian-Universalist Church, located 292 State St. in Portsmouth.

The forum will specifically focus on the emergency evacuation procedure in the event of a nuclear emergency.

"It will give us a chance to tell them SAPL is here for the citizens and inform them about how they can become more engaged in issues that concern most people on the Seacoast," said Jenn Hicks, field director for SAPL.

Local broadcast personality Roger Wood will moderate the discussion, which will begin with opening remarks from Don Bliss, the New Hampshire state fire marshal and director of the state’s Office of Emergency Management.

Panelists will include Paul Gunter of the Nuclear Information Resource Service speaking about how an emergency can happen at Seabrook; Greg Champlin, from the N.H. Office of Emergency Management, who will explain the emergency plan in response to a nuclear emergency; Bob Backus, of the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League, who will explain what he believes are the flaws of the plan; and a representative from the N.H. Department of Radiological Health who will speak about the New Hampshire potassium iodide (KI) distribution program for residents within the 10-mile radius of Seabrook.

In addition, Mary Lampert of Massachusetts Citizens for Safe Energy will speak about how her community created a model plan to distribute KI to all residents as part of evacuation in the event of an emergency at the Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth.

"It is not spoon-fed information that tells people what to think; rather, it is giving a spectrum of information," Hicks said. "Then individuals can make a decision as to how they feel about this important issue."

After the panelists finish their presentations, the audience will have an opportunity to ask the panel questions.

Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey, D-Malden, wrote a report earlier this year on security at nuclear power plants, saying, "Terrorists may now be employed at nuclear reactors in the United States just as terrorists enrolled in flight schools in the U.S." (The Associated Press, March 25, 2002)

SAPL suggests terrorism isn’t the only potential cause of a nuclear disaster.

According to SAPL, since 1987 there have been seven low-level incidents at the plant that, if left unattended, could have led to a more serious situation.

For more information about this event, contact Jennifer Hicks at SAPL, (603) 431-5089.