By BobCudlin on 3/3/2010 8:39 AM

This week saw a very significant development in the nuclear industry and the potential consequences of safety culture issues on a specific plant, a large nuclear enterprise and the industry. As has been widely reported, the Vermont Senate voted against the extension of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant’s operating license. In part it appears this action stemmed from the recent leakages of tritium at the plant site but perhaps more significantly, from how the matter was handled by the plant owner, Entergy.

The fallout of these events has not only put into question the future of the Vermont Yankee plant, triggered the interest of the NRC and a requirement that Entergy officials testify under oath, it may also have consequences for Entergy’s plans to spin-off six of its nuclear plants into an independent subsidiary.

Read More »