Potthoff, Frederick

In the 1970’s Houston Lighting and Power Company (HL&P) applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a permit to build a nuclear generating plant at Wallis, Texas, less than 50 miles from the western edge of Houston. Public opposition to this plan, fueled in part by press coverage of problems at other plants around the country, led to lengthy public hearings and, even, court action. In the meantime, the costs of construction escalated. In the end, HL&P withdrew its request.

• Aug 1973: Houston Lighting and Power Company (HL&P) filed application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for permits to construct Allens Creek Nuclear Generating Station (ACNGS) Units 1 and 2 at Wallis, Texas.
• Nov 1974 - Mar 1975 : HL&P issued a safety evaluation report and an environmental statement and NRC held hearings on environmental and site suitability.
• Sept 1975: HL&P deferred construction plans.
• Oct 1976: HL&P reactivated construction plans for Unit 1 only.
• Mar 1978: The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board invited filing of petitions to intervene in the application process and issued a notice of intervention procedures.
• Mar 1979: The water pump used to cool the reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania broke down, releasing radioactive steam into the atmosphere. The Houston press covered the story extensively and the number of letters from concerned citizens increased substantially.
• 1981 Jan - Nov 1981 : Litigation of one hundred contentions (of possible safety hazards) by twelve individuals approved as intervenors.
• Nov 1978, Oct 1979, & Dec 1980: The NRC held hearings in Wallis and Houston during which limited appearance statements were made by more than one hundred individuals.
• August 1982: HL&P withdraws its application for construction permit.

From the guide to the Allen's Creek Nuclear Generating Plant Collection RG O 004., September 1978-June 1982, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)