Agenda - 04-07-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT PUBLIC STATEMENT CONCERNING ORANGE COUNTY'S PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUM ON APRIL 7 CP&L has declined an invitation to participate in the forum. We understand that the purpose of the meeting will be a presentation of a report prepared by Orange County's consultant, published last month. The report, according to the Chair of the Orange County Commission, serves as the "technical basis for the County's contentions" in the intervention effort the County has undertaken to oppose CP&L's spent fuel storage plan. The "intervention effort," as the County describes it, is a lawsuit. On Monday evening, April 5th, the County's lawyers filed eight contentions they have asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a licensing board panel to hear "to challenge the adequacy of the application submitted" by CP&L in support of the storage plan. Orange County has asked the NRC licensing board to admit these contentions "for litigation in this proceeding." We have not had any meaningful opportunity to review the contentions filed last evening, but CP&L will respond to the contentions in a filing with the licensing board on or before May 5. Because the information forum will likely address the County's legal contentions, it is not appropriate for CP&L to participate until we have had time to review the filings and respond to the legal and technical issues raised by the filings, in accordance with the schedule set by the licensing board. If the County's ultimate objective is to gather information, to learn more about the storage plan, and to confirm our judgment that the plan is a safe and responsible proposal, a lawsuit is unnecessary and wasteful of all of the parties' resources. We hope to continue a responsible dialogue with the leadership of the County to respond to questions about the plan and to find a resolution to issues that currently divide us.