Oyster Creek nuclear plant holds final test of emergency sirens

The Oyster Creek Generating Station nuclear power plant staged the final test of its emergency warning sirens.
Exelon Generation tested the sirens at the Lacey Township facility on Tuesday and said no issues were detected. The 42 sirens within a 10-mile radius of the plant in Ocean County were a signal to tune to local Emergency Alert Broadcast TV or radio station and not to evacuate.
Some Ocean County residents tell News 12 New Jersey that they will miss the power plant and worry about what it means for the community.
“Loss of jobs. Some people are concerned about the tax situation,” says resident Michael Kirk.
“I think it’s a darn shame that they’re closing it,” says Mary Ann Eckhart who has lived in the area for 40 years. “It’s been here for a long time. It’s helping us with our taxes.”
The facility produced enough electricity each year to supply about 600,000 typical homes. The facility will now be taken apart and the nuclear waste will be removed.
Jeff Tittel of the environmental group Sierra Club advocated for the plant's closure. He said that he believed that it was an environmental hazard. He says that some risks remain even now that the plant has closed.
“There's always a chance for an accident or spill or storm causing damage and releasing potentially nuclear gases or pollution,” he says.
Oyster Creek ceased operations in September. But the siren system remains active in accordance with local, state and federal emergency planning requirements.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.