University Daily Kansan / Friday, March 27, 1992
9
Wolf Creek given OK to restart
Controversial nuclear plant is a boon to Kansas town once in despair
By Andy Taylor
Kansan staff writer
BURLINGTON, Kan. — Wolf Creek Generating Station, a nuclear-powered electric plant near Burlington, 60 miles southwest of Lawrence, sits in the middle of cornstalks and creek beds. And with a tough farm economy, the cathedral of nuclear power is the savior of Burlington.
Mary Ellen Salava, of Burlington, talks about her fight against Wolf Creek.
More than 1,000 employees from Topeka, Emporia and Ottawa commute to the plant daily to produce electricity for more than a half million customers in Kansas and Missouri.
But recently the physical stability of the plant has been questioned because of strange noises coming from the reactor.
Panny Wrode/KANNSAN
Yesterday, Wolf Creek representatives and officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave a public presentation plant investigation into the situation.
The noises, which occurred on Feb. 28 and March 16, were caused by thermal heating of the steam generators connected to the reactor's core, said Otto Maynard, director of plant operations.
Maynard said an 800-pound restraint, which holds one of the pipes from the steam generator, had moved 1/20,000 of an inch. The movement, heard by three plant operators and registered by sound monitors in the plant, prompted Wolf Creek officials to shut the plant down.
Bart Witers, president of the plant, said media reports of loud noises and large vibrations that shook the plant were highly exaggerated.
"There have been reports of the
entire building being jarred, which is far from the truth, "Witers said.
The movement caused no damages or injuries, Withers said.
Sam Collins, a commission representative, said the commission issued a notice yesterday giving Wolf Creek permission to restart production.
Ronn Smith, a Wolf Creek representative, said the plant would begin producing electricity for its customers today and be at full power by Sunday.
But safety assurances from the commission do not comfort Mary Ellen Salalva, who can see the reactor from her front window.
"I remember when they announced that Wolf Creek would be built," Salava said. "It was February 23, 1973. Soon after, I read an article about nuclear fission, and that changed my mind about the nuclear industry."
In the mid-1970s, Salava led a coalition against Wolf Creek's owner, Kansas Gas and Electric Company in Wichita. She did not want the plant to be built.
"A lot of people said I lost, she said. I knew I was right. Everybody lost the fight."
Salava, a farmwife turned environmentalist, said her devotion to fighting Wolf Creek was meant to help future generations understand the danger of nuclear energy.
"It's not myself that I am concerned about," she said. "I'm concerned about my grandkids and the other people who will live here in the future. Wolf Creek could make this whole part of the state uninhabitable. Everybody takes it for granted, but people do not understand that the potential is there for something serious."
Despite safety concerns, Burlington business owners said their town had prospered because of Wolf Creek.
Twenty years ago, Coffey County was in despair.
"The entire infrastructure was devastated," said Glen German, publisher of the Coffee County Today. "The high school building was so bad that
basketball games were played in the high school basement. I feared that if there was a fire it would be a miracle if anyone came out of there alive.
But German said that due to an increase in revenue from Wolf Creek in the past decade, streets were repaved, a school was built and new businesses were constructed.
Daily Kansan Classified Ads Get Results!
Sale Prices?
Fruit of the Loom T-Shirts $8.99-$10.99
Fruit of the Loom Sweatshirts $14.99
These are Campus Outlet's regular prices.
Heavy Knit Sweatshirts $27.99
Hats from $5.99
Come in and see our incredible selection of boxer shorts.
CAMPUS OUTLET
2 Locations • East on 23rd at Barker
• 622 W. 12th Street 865-5060
Nyeabast Neumath (K.U. Class of 74) has been investigating the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome epidemic for over four years. She is widely considered to be the most knowledgeable reporter working on the story. She has gathered her reporting into an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand guide to an epidemic that threatens the health of the entire nation. Her research has led her to the conclusion that AIDS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are versions of the same basic immune dysfunction. She has also concluded that government scientists do not want you to know the facts about this epidemic. This may be the most important book you read this year. Ask for it at your local bookstore
A K.U. graduate has written the most explosive book of the year.
the university of kansas theatre and
the department of music and dance
present
georges bizet's classic opera
tickets on sale in the murphy hall
scenic & costume design by jaroslav malina, prague, czechoslovakia
tickets on sale in the mural hall
box office; KU student tickets
available in the SUA office, kansas
union, all seats reserved; to
charge tickets by phone, using
VISA or MasterCard, call
913/8164-4952.
lighting design by delbert unruh. university of kansas
Busta Shuttle!
AVOID THE NOID Call Domino's Pizza
Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 4p.m.-1a.m.
Fri.-Sat. 11a.m.-2a.m.
Sun. 11a.m.-1a.m.
Shuttle Buster #1
Two-10" Pizzas
Each w/ cheese and one topping, just.
$5.99
N.of 15th
841-8002
832 Iowa
S.of 15th
841-7900
1445 W.23rd
Extra toppings 47¢ per topping,per pizza Limited Time Offer
914Massachusetts 841-6966
Five Dollar Frenzy
A Large Pizza w/one topping
forjust, $5.00
$5.00
Extra toppings 95¢ each.
Limited Time Offer
Not Valid w/ any other offer
BUNGEE JUMPING
Experience the Thrill
of a Lifetime!
Certain Restrictions Apply
(913) 341-0003
VERTIGO VENTURES, INC.
Get the weekend started off the rightway with
Coors Light
12 pack only
$6.99
while supplies last
Two locations serving Lawrence. 23rd and Louisiana and 9th and Iowa
RUMBLE!!!
Ladies & Gentlemen, Get ready to
Don't miss the First Annual Sigma Phi Epsilon & Delta Delta Delta
FITENITE!
Come watch the KU men battle it out in the ring.
come watch the KU men battle it out in the ring. Friday, March 27 & Saturday, March 28 At the Natl. Guard Armory at 2nd & Iowa. Tickets are $3.00 on Fri. & $5.00 on Sat. Fights start at 7:00 on both nights.
It's gonna be a blow out!!!
Sure, You Have a Choice.
Whether you're ready for lunch, dinner, fresh beer or coffee and dessert.
Race on down and
Enjoy the fresh tastes of the
FREE STATE BREWING CO.
Experience the unique atmosphere of the first legal brewery in Kansas since 1880. Open Mon-Sat 11-Midnight, Sun Noon-11
WANTED
CD'S • RECORDS • TAPES REWARD
$5.00 & down on CD'S
$2.00 & down on records & tapes
Ride on into Alley Cat Records and trade in those old tapes, records and CD'S. It's a great way to earn extra cash!
Check Out our NEW LOCATION! 717 Mass. 865-0122