Should Seabrook Station nuclear power plant receive a license extension?

This week in Hampton, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held its annual public information meeting where one topic of discussion was the future of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant.

Currently, NextEra Energy, which owns Seabrook Station, is in the process of extending its license from ending in 2030 to 2050.

Those against the relicensing of Seabrook Station cite concerns related to the concrete degradation--or micro-fractures--found in its structures in the past seven years. They argue that it is not known what dangers such degradation presents to the public.

Officials from NextEra Energy cite a long track record of safety and say Seabrook Station is operating in accordance with all commercial nuclear energy facilities compliance regulations.

Commonly found in bridges and dams, Seabrook Station is the first U.S. nuclear plant in the United States with concrete degradation, known as alkali-silica reaction.

The NRC says they have yet to make a decision on the license extension and will put public safety first.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.