SOUTHPORT, NC — When folks consider a move to a new part of the country, a lot of the same questions come up in conversation with our agents. Some parents like to know about schools. Others will ask about safety. And many people ask about fun and unique things to do in the area. Not many ask about a nuclear power plant.
But it’s a question that our Exclusive Buyer Agents at Just For Buyers Realty are prepared to answer. Yes, there is a nuclear power plant in our region. The follow up after that statement is typically, no it’s not like you have seen portrayed on the big screen.
Duke Energy operates the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport. It’s been around for almost 50 years too, so there’s a track record. Recently, the Lead Communication Manager for the plant, Karen Williams, met with a group of realtors from New Hanover and Brunswick Counties to explain the safety measures the company follows to preserve security at the plant and to protect the health of the local community, all while providing enough energy to serve a million homes daily. Just For Buyers Realty had a couple representatives attend the events in order to make sure we are educated for our clients.
Tours of the facility don’t really happen anymore for security reasons. Williams also said security measures for workers have increased significantly as well over the years as they move from building to building on the campus. Measures include things like retina scan to gain entry. Workers even undergo security tests and exercises regularly as part of the commitment to the community.
One question that realtors get a lot in this area, especially when you drive by a part of the plant is about the cooling canal. If you’ve seen it, you know what we’re talking about. It’s a frothy, foamy river that flows from the nuclear plant. As water from the Cape Fear River is utilized in the daily operation of the plant, that water is returned. As the production of the energy is extremely hot, the turbine churns up the water and creates the froth (Williams joked that she sometimes refers to it as Cappuccino River.) It is simply water that has been agitated, but has no chemical discharge and is not radio-active. It will eventually dissolve as it makes its water down the canal. Interestingly, Williams mentioned the plant did study a way to cut down on the foam at one time, but it didn’t make sense from a business standpoint for what is basically a cosmetic issue.
If you have specific questions about the plant or any other items of interest in this community, you can rely on the team at Just For Buyers Realty to be educated or know where to find you answers.
