ML030140414
| ML030140414 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia  |
| Issue date: | 01/09/2003 |
| From: | Howell A NRC/RGN-IV/DRP |
| To: | Parrish J Energy Northwest |
| References | |
| -RFPFR, 4-2002-014 | |
| Download: ML030140414 (4) | |
Text
January 9, 2003 J. V. Parrish (Mail Drop 1023)
Chief Executive Officer Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968
SUBJECT:
CLOSURE OF NRC INVESTIGATION REPORT 4-2002-014
Dear Mr. Parrish:
This refers to the investigation initiated in April 2002 following your discovery that an illegal alien had been granted access to Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant, in Richland, Washington. The investigation was conducted to determine whether the individual had deliberately provided Energy Northwest fraudulent background information (i.e., a false social security number and alien registration card) to gain access to the facility.
The NRCs Office of Investigations (OI) interviewed the individual on April 3, 2002 in his attorneys office, and reviewed Energy Northwests records related to this incident. The individual told our investigators that he was born in Mexico, came to the U.S. when he was about 5 years old, bought social security and alien registration cards when he was about 16 years old, and used these cards ever since, including when making application for employment with Energy Northwest through his high schools Cooperative Education Program.
Energy Northwest hired this individual in June 2000, after accepting the fraudulent documents as evidence of his alien status. The individual was hired to perform clerical duties, and he had intermittent access to the protected area at Columbia Generating Station up until the time his employment was terminated on March 25, 2002. As a result of his having provided fraudulent documents, Energy Northwest terminated his employment and he is facing possible action by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which is still pending.
The NRCs review of this matter did not identify any violations of NRC requirements committed by Energy Northwest. Energy Northwests actions were in accordance with INS guidance in existence at the time, and did not conflict with any NRC requirements. Thus, the NRC is closing this matter with no further action. The NRC notes that Energy Northwest and the NRC have taken steps since the occurrence of this incident to tighten measures designed to determine alien status. For your information, the NRC has declined to take action against Energy Northwests former employee based on the circumstances involved.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Energy Northwest Document Room or from the NRCs document system (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Sincerely,
//RA by Elmo E. Collins Acting for//
Arthur T. Howell III, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket No. 50-397 License No. NPF-21 cc:
Rodney Webring (Mail Drop PE04)
Vice President, Nuclear Generation Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 Albert E. Mouncer (Mail Drop PE01)
Vice President, Corporate Services/
General Counsel/CFO Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 Chairman Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council P.O. Box 43172 Olympia, Washington 98504-3172 Douglas W. Coleman (Mail Drop PE20)
Manager, Performance Assessment and Regulatory Programs Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 Christina L. Perino (Mail Drop PE20)
Manager, Licensing Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 Energy Northwest Chairman Benton County Board of Commissioners P.O. Box 190 Prosser, Washington 99350-0190 Dale K. Atkinson (Mail Drop PE08)
Vice President, Technical Services Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 Thomas C. Poindexter, Esq.
Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005-3502 Bob Nichols Executive Policy Division Office of the Governor P.O. Box 43113 Olympia, Washington 98504-3113 Lynn Albin Washington State Department of Health P.O. Box 7827 Olympia, WA 98504-7827 Energy Northwest bcc:
ADAMS, PUBLIC EA Case Files Via E-mail:
Merschoff Gwynn K. Smith R4ALLEGE Sanborn Vasquez Chamberlain Powers Pruett Pick A. Howell W.B. Jones Replogle, SRI OEMAIL Dixon-Herrity, OE L. Dudes, NRR J. Peralta, NSIR C:\\ORPCheckout\\FileNET\\ML030140414.wpd RIV:D:ACES C:PSB D:DRS C:DRP/E OE Sanborn Pruett Chamberlain Jones Congel
/RA/
/RA/
/RA/
P. Harrell for Dixon-Herrity for 11/29/02 12/27/02 12/30/02 12/30/02 12/6/02 NRR D:DRP Dudes Howell Via E-mail E. Collins for 12/3/02 1/8/03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax