NRC responds to plant security violations

Wednesday, 7 January 2009

The US nuclear regulator has proposed fining Exelon Nuclear after security guards were caught napping whilst on duty at its Peach Bottom nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. A security worker at Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) Sequoyah site, meanwhile, has been found to have falsified inventory data at the plant.
 
In September 2007, a guard at the Peach Bottom site released a video showing other guards dozing while on duty. An investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concluded that there had been "multiple occasions" in which guards were "inattentive" in a plant 'ready room' - a room in which they may read, study, eat or relax whilst not on patrol or on watch, but where they must remain ready to respond.
 
A broad review of security at all of Exelon's plants was carried out and, although there were no issues of concern found at other sites, Exelon concluded that future security management and operations would be best brought in-house. The company subsequently replaced the security force provided by Wackenhut Nuclear Services at all ten of its nuclear power plants with its own in-house teams.
 
The NRC has now proposed a fine of $65,000 against Exelon relating to the security deficiencies. However, the NRC gave credit to Exelon for "prompt and comprehensive corrective actions once the violations were identified." It noted that Exelon "has made wide-ranging changes to its security programme at Peach Bottom and at other plants it owns as a result of these events."
 
In April 2008, the NRC proposed a $130,000 fine against Florida Power & Light (FPL) after security contractors, also employed by Wackenhut, at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant were found asleep. A 2006 investigation by the NRC found that security officers at the plant had been "wilfully inattentive to duty."
 
Data falsification
 
Meanwhile, the NRC has concluded that a security sergeant at TVA's Sequoyah nuclear power plant in Tennessee deliberately falsified a security equipment inventory form, causing TVA to be in apparent violation of NRC regulations.
 
TVA requested the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process to resolve differences with the NRC concerning the apparent violations and to discuss corrective actions. The ADR process uses a neutral mediator to assist the NRC and its licensees in coming to an agreement.
 
As part of the settlement agreement, TVA has agreed to a number of corrective actions and enhancements related to security equipment inventory and promotion of internal programs for resolution of issues or deficiencies not only at Sequoyah but also at TVA's Browns Ferry and Watts Bar nuclear plants. The NRC said that it will not propose issuing TVA with a fine or take any enforcement actions. However, it will evaluate adherence to TVA's commitments during future inspections.
 
TVA has informed the NRC that it plans to terminate its security contract and will begin moving to an in-house security force in early 2009.