The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Failure to Protect Public Safety During the COVID- 19 Public Emergency
In Pennsylvania, the three nuclear plants that shut down for refueling in the spring reported outside workers testing positive for COVID. At the Limerick Generating Station Montgomery County officials rejected Exelon’s coronavirus plan, and requested that the company postpone the refueling operation until it had put adequate protections in place. Exelon ignored the request.
Senator Katie Muth said, “Thus far, Exelon has provided an inadequate pandemic response plan, withheld information from county and state officials, and failed to prioritize the safety of its employees, contract workers, community first responders, as well as all residents of the 44th senatorial district and entire region,” Senator Muth wrote. “This is grossly irresponsible as Exelon has brought at least 1,400 workers to the epicenter of Pennsylvania’s Covid-19 pandemic.”
In addition, Beaver Valley, Limerick, and Susquehanna nuclear plant owners used the cover of the pandemic to collude with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to delay safety repairs. Energy Harbor, Exelon and Talen Energy received permission to violate fitness for duty protections, implement forced overtime, and skip necessary inspections.
Peach Bottom's refueling outage is currently underway as COVID numbers are spiking in York County. Exelon will bring in over 1,000 workers from hot spots throughout the
country. The NRC will "monitor" the refueling outage from the safety of remote locations in Bethesda and Washington.
Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Island, Alert, a safe-energy organization based in Harrisburg and founded in 1977, stated: The nuclear industry has exploited the pandemic to delay repairs on aging plants, eliminate emergency preparedness, and reduce safeguards. The NRC has abdicated its oversight mission, and
embraced its role as a regulatory doormat.”
