NRC Directs Holtec to Remediate Fear at Palisades Nuclear Plant
Regulators cited a hostile work environment and high exam failure rates among operators as key factors in the directive issued this week.
By Noor Rossi ·
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has ordered Holtec International to correct a "chilled work environment" at the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan. The regulator determined that the current atmosphere discourages employees from raising safety concerns due to a fear of retaliation.
The directive follows a series of operational issues that have complicated the restart of the facility. In July, the NRC conducted an inspection to assess safety awareness at the site. This review came after two distinct incidents. Last year, a contractor fell into the reactor cavity and swallowed water. Although radiation protection staff decontaminated the worker, an incident report noted that 300 counts per minute of radiation were still detected in their hair. The worker was sent off-site for medical care.
A second incident occurred in August when a bundle of nuclear fuel rods tilted during a refueling operation. This event delayed the startup of what was projected to be the first restarted closed nuclear reactor in the United States.
Personnel performance also contributed to the regulatory action. Nine of the 15 reactor operators at Palisades failed the initial licensing examination administered in July and August. Only six individuals received operator licenses.
Holtec has not previously operated a nuclear power plant. The company has secured approximately $2.2 billion in government support for the Palisades project, which has been promoted as a symbol of a domestic nuclear resurgence. The plant is part of a wider trend, as owners of the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania and the Duane Arnold plant in Iowa have also announced restart plans for facilities originally slated for decommissioning.
Critics argue that financial and political pressure to revitalize nuclear power in response to surging energy demand from artificial intelligence could increase the likelihood of accidents. They point to the current situation at Palisades as evidence of the risks associated with rapid restarts.
The NRC's warning is the latest regulatory step in the Palisades restart process. The commission's findings emphasize the need for a cultural shift at the site before further operational milestones are met.
Source: Ars Technica
