NRC Queries Executive's Actions at Tenn Nuke Plant

This is what permitting and regulating does for you! Red emphasis mine. GV

NRC queries executive's actions at Tenn nuke plant

January 15, 2009 12:40 EST

ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) -- Federal regulators are questioning Nuclear Fuel Services Inc. about a senior executive suspected of drinking and acting inappropriately days after a potentially lethal uranium spill in 2006.

The Johnson City Press reports the Nuclear Regulatory Commission sent the company a letter Jan. 7 demanding an explanation for failing to remove the unnamed executive for "cause testing" after co-workers smelled alcohol on his breath.

The executive later had an "angry outburst" with an NRC inspector and allegedly made a sexual remark to a female technician.

The letter says this happened in the three days following a spill of 9 gallons of uranium solution at the plant. The spill wasn't made public until a year later. NFS spokesman Jud Simmons says the company is evaluating its response. He did say no one involved in the incident is either in management or still employed by the company.

NFS was acquired by Virginia-based nuclear fuel processor Babcock and Wilcox Co. on Jan. 1.

Information from: Johnson City Press,
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com