ML17331A560

NRC Safety Inspections at Nuclear Power Plants Must Continue (Jim Garb e-mail)

ML17331A560
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	11/22/2017
From:	Garb J Occupational Health Physician
To:	Isom J NRC/NRR/DIRS/IRIB
Isom J
References
Download: ML17331A560 (1)

Text

From: Jim Garb To: Isom, James

Subject:

[External_Sender] NRC safety inspections at nuclear power plants must continue Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2017 6:01:53 PM I am writing to strongly object to the idea of allowing the nuclear industry in this country to conduct self-inspections. Clearly this is a bad idea. One need look no farther than our neighboring nuclear generator, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth MA, owned by Entergy. Three of the worst performing nuclear power plants in the country based on safety performance are owned by Entergy. Their recent history shows a steady decline to Column 4. Much of this is the result of lack of attention to safety matters, not performing safety procedures properly, and even documenting fire security inspections that never took place. I could go on, but you are probably already familiar with the situation at Pilgrim.

Frankly, many of us in southeastern Massachusetts thought the NRC would shut Pilgrim down last year when the damning internal NRC inspection team email was leaked that described a serious problem with the culture of safety at the plant. How could you possibly expect such a nuclear plant to conduct honest, effective safety inspections? We certainly couldnt.

This is a terrible idea. The NRC must continue to perform safety inspections of nuclear reactors.

Thank you.

Sincerely, James R. Garb, MD Occupational Health and Safety Consultant Yarmouth Port, MA