The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is continuing to investigate a greater-than-green security finding that occurred over the summer at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby.
According to a report released last week by the NRC, the commission issued the plant a final significance determination in August for the greater-than-green finding. A green finding is the lowest, least harmful class of findings subject to NRC enforcement.
Because it was a security-related finding, details cannot be released to the public, but the report notes that plant owner Constellation Energy Nuclear Group took immediate corrective actions to address any security-related vulnerability associated with the finding.
On Sept. 29, the NRC’s Office of Investigations completed an investigation to determine whether acts associated with the finding were “willful,” the report states. Based on evidence gathered through testimonies, it concluded that willful acts by plant security personnel were indeed associated with the finding.
“Specifically, one individual deliberately caused violation(s) of NRC requirements, and three other individuals willfully, with careless disregard, caused your facility to be in violation of NRC requirements,” the report to CENG continues. “In addition, other individuals working in the security department may have been aware that NRC requirements were being violated and may have caused violation(s) of NRC requirements; however, the NRC was unable to substantiate willfulness on their parts.”
The identified violations are being considered for increased enforcement action in accordance with the NRC’s enforcement policy, the report concludes. The policy can be found at www.nrc.gov/aboutnrc/regulatory/enforcement/enforce-pol.html.
“We’re offering Constellation the opportunity to take part in a Predecisional Enforcement Conference to provide additional information on what occurred,” NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said in an email. “The company will also have the option of taking part in the Alternative Dispute Resolution process. It can also opt to not challenge the ‘Greater-than-Green’ finding, in which case it would be finalized.”
If finalized, the plant would face additional NRC oversight in the area of plant security, Sheehan added.
“The nuclear energy industry is one of the nation’s safest industries and the people at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant take security very seriously,” plant spokesman Kory Raftery said in an emailed statement. “We work around the clock to ensure the power plant is safe and secure and strive to be the best in the nuclear industry when it comes to security. We will continue to hold security in the highest regard and look for ways to further enhance our operating record when it comes to safety and security.”
Raftery said the plant interprets the word “willful” used in the NRC report to mean a lack of procedure adherence and stressed that at no time were security or safety of the facility or county at risk as a result of the situation.
“Our families, friends and neighbors trust us to do the right thing when it comes to our security department and we don’t take that trust for granted,” Raftery continued, adding that appropriate disciplinary action of the individuals involved has been taken.
mrussell@somdnews.com
