ML20149M255

Discusses Layoff of Over 100 Employees at Millstone

ML20149M255
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone
Issue date:	10/29/1996
From:	Blanch P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	NRC
Shared Package
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References
NUDOCS 9612130196
Download: ML20149M255 (2)

Text

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From: PAUL M. BLANCH <PMBLANCH91x.netcom.com>

I To: KPD1.KPP2(emk) j Date: 10/29/96 4:12pm

Subject:

AP News From the AP news wire i

e HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Complaining about safety concerns at the Millstone j nuclear plant complex landed some workers on the unemployment line, some i workers have claimed. '

{ James Plumb of Voluntown, a chemist, was one of 100 people laid off in '

i January, who says he was singled out because he accused Millstone owner j Northeast Utilities of trying to cover up chemical discharges from the plants

into Niantic Bay.

The discharges may have violated state and federal environmental regulations.

Those allegations and workers' claims of being unjustly laid off are being

j. investigated by federal authorities, The Day of New London reported today.

< The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees operations at the troubled

nuclear complex in Waterford, said Monday it is reviewing an independent

! group's recommendations for handling worker safety concerns.

Safety complaints from Millstone workers should be treated seriously and

promptly, and upper management should be disciplined severely if there's

evidence of employee retribution, the Millstone Independent Review Group said Monday in its report. -

All three nuclear plants at Millstone, owned by Northeast Utilities, have been shut down for safety concerns. The Berlin-based utility cannot restart

the reactors until it shows they will operate according to their licenses.

! The report, from group leader John N. Hannon, was sent to William T. Russell, i director of the Office Of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

The group suggested that the NRC treat worker complaints as "a necessary

. burden" and make the process visible to the public.

The roup also recommended that the NRC can take the lessons learned from l hand ing Millstone complaints and use them in an agency-wide training i'

program.

An earlier independent review had criticized the NRC for inadequate j sensitivity, unclear enforcement and ineffective inspections techniques in  !

handling safety concerns at Millstone.

l Nuclear regulators were warned in Monday's report not to downplay allegations I that workers were harassed by management after bringing up safety concerns.  ;

l The group said the perception of harassment can be just as significant as the  :

'- reality.

"A chilling effect can spread rapidly within a licensee facility, with immediate negative' impact," the report stated.

The report also recommended that the NRC should work to change the public j perception that it is soft on claims of management retribution against whistleblowers. As a result, regulators should err on the side of severe ,

discipline if there is evidence that senior management was involved, the '

report stated.

A worker with safety concerns who is unfamiliar with making a complaint to i the NRC must be informed of the process, the group suggested.

" Help them to the understand the relative safety significance of their concern," the report stated, j 9612130196 961210 NRRA PDR ORQ PDR x  !

The NRC plans to release an information brochure to the public explaining the complaint process.

NRC spokeswoman Diane Screnci said the NRC must now decide what to do with the recomendations and whether to tell the staff "if we need to change policy on the way we do business."

She said no deadline has been set on the decision.

AP-DS-10-29-96 0200EST Paul M. Blanch Energy Consultant 135 Hyde Rd.

West Hartford CT 06117 Voice 860-236-0326 Fax 860-232-9350 l