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Mr. Conner requested that the public ask questions of the panel members, rather than state concerns or opinions. Pete McDowell from Orange County asked if, in the opinion of the scientists, the evaluation of a tornado or hurricane has been addressed in the application. Mr. Lochbaum said that the weak link in the emergency generators is that they need air to work. In generators, the system blocks air from going through because of the pressure during a storm. There have been some problems at some other plants. He has not looked at Harris specifically. Dr. Thompson said that CP&L has addressed reactor accidents but not pool accidents, during a tornado or other disaster. Sandra Marlo from Chapel Hill read a statement and said that she hopes that CP&L would publish their emergency map in case of an accident. She asked who is liable in case of an emergency or an accident. She asked if CP&L pays if homes, or land, or life is lost. She asked what rights we have in the liability of an accident. Steven Carr said that CP&L would be liable for whatever damages they cause from an accident. There is insurance carried by CP&L that is required by the federal government. Glenn Jones from Apex asked if the CP&L plant is terrorist proof. Steven Carr said that they have a high security system that would protect the facility. Mr. Lochbaum said that the NRC used to do security inspections. However, they got over the fence undetected 6 out of 10 times and they canceled the inspections for awhile, but have now continued them. He feels security is an issue. Dr. Gordon Thompson talked of two incidences of security breach. G.R. Quinn from Sanford asked how many people have died from this type of storage facility. Mr. Lochbaum said none. Mr. Quinn also asked about the area that would be contaminated, if it would be unlivable. Dr. Thompson said that you could live in an area for about thirty years after an accident, but there would be an increase in cancer rates of about 7-8%. Mr. Quinn said that this was bogus information, because Hiroshima had 200,000 people there, and now there is over one million people living there. He thinks Orange County is wasting their money. Sally Walker from Chapel Hill asked if there may be a statement from CP&L. She would like to hear both sides of the issue. Steven Carr from CP&L said that their reason for being here is to listen to the comments, questions, and concerns about the CP&L plan. They have invited elected officials to tour the plant and attend the open house. They are on a path at this time where Orange County has filed an intervention to their application. They are trying to understand the concerns. Basically, there is a lawsuit. As part of NRC's review process, Orange County has filed its contentions and CP&L will, in the next few weeks, be filing a response. These are complex and very technical issues. They want their responses to answer the concerns about their plan. He said that Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) knows their plan is a safe plan and they remain confident that the NRC will agree with them. The big question is whether it is a safe and responsible plan. They believe that it is, and are confident that it is. They are using the same proven technology that they have used for the last ten years. He said they would not propose it if it were not safe. Moderator Conner gave each panel member an opportunity to make a short statement. Jim Warren said that they learned of this proposal last summer and are very concerned about the NRC process, and do not believe that the NRC represents the public. They had hoped that CP&L would address all the technical concerns that were raised in an open process, but they did not. Now, CP&L has decided not to open the process. He feels that the probability for an accident increases each year if the fuel is not off-loaded. He said he does not have all the answers, but he has listened to the experts, and he has listened to CP&L's side, and has read their application. He thinks there is a common sense connection. NC WARN believes that the very small additional cost to CP&L to go to a safer plan should be reconsidered. NC WARN estimates the additional cost to CP&L to be $31 million dollars spread over 15 years, based on numbers from their application. That is a small amount of money for this big corporation. They had a net gain of $339 million last year alone. NC Warren believes it would be foolish for Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) to avoid and deny the cautions of two of the top nuclear