Talk of 4th nuclear reactor on Del. River draws criticism

The last time the federal government considered how dangerous the Salem, N.J., nuclear complex could be, it came to this conclusion: In the unlikely case of a meltdown, 100,000 people in the region would die within one year, with 75,000 injuries and 40,000 later deaths to cancer.

That was 25 years ago.


While there has been nothing close to a meltdown, the complex — the nation’s second-largest — has run erratically, with numerous problems at times earning it a federal ranking as one of the nation’s most troubled nuclear installations.

Now the facility’s owner, PSEG Nuclear, is preparing to apply for 20-year permit extensions for all three of its reactors — Salem Units 1 and 2 and Hope Creek — and is considering turning up the heat at its Hope Creek reactor to produce more electricity.

The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)