NRC staff criticize official's handling of Fort Calhoun (troubled nuclear reactor) (xpost from LBN)

[bananas]

Omaha Steve posted this in LBN earlier this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014118861

NRC staff criticize official's handling of Fort Calhoun (troubled nuclear reactor)
Source: Omaha World Herald

By Nancy Gaarder

The senior federal regulator leading the inspection of a troubled nuclear reactor near Omaha is the target of a complaint to Congress over his handling of the reactor's problems.

A letter on Nuclear Regulatory Commission letterhead alleges that Troy Pruett pushed staff to downplay problems at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station and created a “corrosive environment.”

The letter was signed “Region IV Staff” and was sent to to U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., a senior member of the House committee that oversees the regulatory commission.

“These actions (by Pruett) have resulted in a chilled environment that dissuades inspectors from identifying safety issues that may be challenged by regional management,” the letter states.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20120511/NEWS01/705119889#nrc-staff-criticize-official-s-handling-of-fort-calhoun

[FBaggins]

1. You think Jaczko's job is in danger?

Seems like this guy fits the incumbent's perceived job description.

[kristopher]

2. Sounds more like the regulators are working for the industry - same as fossil fuels.

[FBaggins]

3. Same as ANY regulated industry.

It's the nature of the beast. You either get incompetents with no experience in the field they're regulating, or you get people with the relevant experience, but also an inherent sympathy for the field they came from. Building inspectors are former contractors... financial regulators are former bankers... FAA inspectors are probably former airline or Boeing/Lockheed employees.

Incompetence is worse. The key is to set up appropriate oversight.

[kristopher]

5. Appropriate oversight the NRC is incapable of performing

It is, more than most industries, a victim of regulatory capture.

[bananas]

4. Pruett is an industry shill endangering safety, Jaczko is being attacked by the shills.

Big difference.
There are just too many shills in the NRC.

Nice attempt at threadjacking BTW.
But thanks for kicking the thread!