NRC Asleep on Duty? Exelon Gets Off Easy for Sleeping Guards

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced today that it is only giving Exelon Nuclear a slap on the wrist for the security vulnerabilities caused by sleeping guards at its Peach Bottom nuclear power plant.

POGO is concerned that the proposed $65,000 civil penalty does not send a very loud message to other power plants about the need to implement new work hour rules that ensure security personnel remain capable of safely performing their duties.  In fact, the proposed fine probably doesn’t even come close to covering the cost of NRC's investigation into the matter.

We recommend a serious revamping of the fee structure to provide a real deterrent when licensees violate NRC requirements.

-- Peter Stockton and Ingrid Drake