Senator Christopher Connors

May 27, 2009   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has responded to two letters prepared by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt regarding the ongoing investigation into tritium found at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

In their first letter, the 9th District Legislators requested a briefing from the Department after it had completed its investigation. After additional information regarding the tritium leak surfaced, the Delegation requested that the Department explain, as part of its briefing, why tritium was discovered in the concrete vault before anything was detected in the monitoring wells and if the number of monitoring wells that were in place prior to the discovery of tritium leak were sufficient.

It his letter to the Delegation, NJDEP Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello provided a background summary of the tritium leak and stated that the Department, which shares the Delegation’s concerns, would continue to provide an independent assessment into the cause and resolution of the incident. Commissioner Mauriello went on to explain that the underground portion of the pipes which were determined to be the source of the leak have been replaced and that the investigation is continuing to determine whether additional underground piping or an onsite storage tank may also be a contributing source.

The Department’s letter goes on to explain Exelon’s efforts in sampling onsite groundwater monitoring wells near the underground cable vault where the tritium leak was first discovered. Furthermore, daily surface water samples continue to be taken from the plant’s intake canal and discharge canal, including near the Route 9 Bridge, the closest public access point. Commissioner Mauriello further explained that the Department has been receiving split samples of the groundwater monitoring wells and surface water for independent analysis by its radiological contract laboratory. As stated in the letter, “Sampling has shown no detectable levels of tritium in surface water samples, therefore posing no threat to public health and safety.”

Connors, Rumpf and Van Pelt made the following remarks regarding the Department’s initial response:

“While we were pleased to learn that the DEP is continuing with its investigation, we are looking forward to reviewing its final report on the tritium leak. We are particularly interested in reviewing what conclusions the Department reaches regarding the effectiveness of the plant’s system for monitoring wells. Specifically, we want to know why the tritium leak was discovered before it was detected in the monitoring wells. This goes to the greater issue as to the monitoring system currently in place functions properly as an early warning system. The public has a right to answers. Transparency is crucial in circumstances that concern public health and safety so that the public is kept informed and is reassured that everything is being done to prevent future occurrences of an irregular incident.”

Click here to view a PDF of the DEP’s response.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has responded to two letters prepared by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt regarding the ongoing investigation into tritium found at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. In their [...]