The Forest Preserve District Commission authorized its attorney Thursday to contact Exelon Corp. formally regarding contamination concerns at a preserve a few yards from Exelon’s Braidwood nuclear generating facility.
The district also wants Exelon to pay for unspecified forest district staff time in connection with the plant’s release of a small of amount of tritium, a radioactive material.
Thursday’s authorization instructs Richard Kavanaugh to write a letter requesting Exelon to investigate the extent of possible damage at the Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Preserve. It also gives Kavanaugh authority to file a lawsuit against Exelon if the company doesn’t respond within 30 days of receiving the letter.
The district’s Operations Committee endorsed the resolution July 6.
Before Thursday’s full board vote, District Executive Director Michael Pasteris told commissioners Exelon’s agreement with Will County doesn’t include the Forest Preserve District.
Pasteris told Finance Committee Chairman Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort) that consultants hired by Exelon Corp. probably will investigate the extent of damage to the preserve.
Pasteris contrasted the cooperation of Exelon staff with the response from higher-placed company officials. Those officials, he said, have become more cooperative since learning the district was preparing to involve its legal department.
Craig Nesbit, Exelon Nuclear’s communications director, has said that tritium levels in the preserve were “very very low–barely above background level” and that Exelon has caused no damage to the preserve.