NRC: Pilgrim Worker Didn't Complete Mandatory Fire Checks, Falsified Reports

NRC: Pilgrim Worker Didn’t Complete Mandatory Fire Checks, Falsified Reports

COURTESY PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER STATION

PLYMOUTH – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant is once again facing questions from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after it was discovered that a worker failed to conduct over 200 mandatory fire watches at the Plymouth facility.

The NRC also says the worker, who is no longer employed at Pilgrim, falsified inspection reports to make it look as if the fire checks had been completed. According to NRC Spokesman Neil Sheehan, the violations occurred between June 1, 2012 and June 26, 2014.

Pilgrim is already facing additional federal inspections after multiple safety violations, and the NRC officials say they will soon decide on additional sanctions after the latest incident. Plant owner Entergy has 10 days to either accept the findings or ask for additional review.

In a statement, Entergy said the worker was fired after discovery of the violation. The company says the public was not put at risk due to the missed inspections.

“Secure and safe operations are of the utmost importance at Pilgrim. The individual involved in the incidents noted in the NRC’s letter was terminated after an independent internal investigation of a similar concern conducted prior to the NRC Office of Investigation (OI) investigation and reached a similar conclusion. It was Entergy that first detected a potential issue, fully investigated, and then took corrective actions prior to the NRC’s OI investigation. Pilgrim and all Entergy facilities have put robust systems and processes in place to prevent and uncover inaccuracies, whether intentional or not. Conduct such as occurred in this case is a firing offense and Entergy expects all employees and contractors to commit and adhere to trust, honesty and integrity. At no time was the safety and security of the general public or the employees at risk.”

The NRC was conducting an 11-month review of fire watches at the station, which are necessary when fire suppression equipment is out of service. In that scenario, security officers are required to conduct regular patrols in the affected areas to make sure no fires are breaking out.

Pilgrim is scheduled to close down no later than June 2019. Entergy says the plant is no longer financially viable.