He said the first step is to amend the Nuclear and Chemical Free Zone Act of 1983 or Public Law 3-42, which was originally designed to ban the dumping of nuclear and chemical waste products within the ocean and the seabed surrounding the CNMI waters.
It also prohibits the presence of any nuclear-related matters within 200 miles off the waters of the islands.
“In the past, as attested by the joint House-Senate resolution, there is widespread support for this modern technology, and before the U.S. Department of Energy entertains any requests for monetary support for this project, we need to amend the Commonwealth Nuclear and Chemical Free Zone Act,” said Torres, Ind.-Saipan.
He has introduced House Bill 17-38 or the Nuclear and Chemical Free Zone Amendment Act of 2010.
Torres said there are now new and safer nuclear power technology that could be used in the CNMI, specifically the Small Modular Nuclear Power Reactors or SMRs.
This nuclear-based energy type uses nuclear batteries which can run for up to 10 years, compared to fossil fuel-dependent power plants that require costly maintenance.
“These specific SMR reactors and power plants are ‘economical’ to install and operate, compared to the outrageous costs of fossil fuel plants and would result in a significant economic benefit to the CNMI without any compromise in the safety, health and well-being of its citizens. Additionally, U.S. certified prefabricated and modular designs of these reactors result in drastically reduced onsite construction,” said Torres.
“The SMR spends its fuel internally and empties the battery and the battery capsule is returned to the factory for another 10-year recharge. The cost of the recharge may be covered by further U.S. grants and a long-range minimally built-in recharge fee,” he added.
The U.S. nuclear power generation which dates back to 50 years ago has been remarkably safe compared to fossil fuel power plants which have had recorded accidents, Torres said.
He noted that nearly 80 percent of France’s electricity comes from 58 nuclear power plants, resulting in the lowest electric bills in Europe.
