The safety and security of the United States’ nuclear plant sites is a matter of utmost importance for the public. With 54 nuclear plant sites housing a total of 94 operating nuclear reactors, it is crucial to have transparency regarding the performance of these facilities. In particular, identifying the plants with the poorest safety and security records is essential for ensuring the well-being of the surrounding communities.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plays a significant role in overseeing the safety of nuclear plants. However, obtaining information about the performance of these facilities can be challenging for the public. This task becomes even more daunting if the Trump administration’s executive orders to deregulate nuclear power are implemented. To address this issue, a comprehensive list of the “Terrible Thirteen” nuclear plant sites with the highest number of safety and security violations discovered by NRC inspectors from 2022 to 2024 has been compiled.
The list includes both single-unit and dual-unit plants, with each plant’s type, owner/operator, nearest population center, NRC region, and weighted number of violations detailed. Plants such as River Bend, Grand Gulf, Waterford, and Fermi-2 have been flagged for their poor performance in terms of safety and security violations.
It is important to note that the NRC’s approach to assessing violations and determining regulatory oversight may not fully capture the overall safety and security performance of a nuclear plant. The agency’s reliance on a color-coded classification system for violations, where Green violations are considered of “very low” significance, may overlook critical issues that could impact plant safety.
For example, incidents at plants like Waterford, Quad Cities, and Calvert Cliffs highlight serious safety concerns that were classified as Green violations. These incidents, ranging from corrosion issues to equipment malfunctions, underscore the importance of considering the total number of violations when assessing a plant’s safety performance.
Furthermore, the regional disparities in the issuance of violations by the NRC raise concerns about the consistency of oversight across different regions. Regions like IV, covering the western and south-central US, have been flagged for higher rates of Green findings compared to other regions, indicating potential variations in inspection rigor.
As the list of the Terrible Thirteen reveals, certain companies like Entergy Nuclear and Constellation have multiple plants with significant safety and security violations. These findings underscore the need for stringent regulatory oversight to ensure the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
In light of proposed changes by the NRC to weaken oversight and enforcement, there is a growing concern about the agency’s ability to detect and address safety culture issues proactively. Strengthening mechanisms for identifying adverse safety trends and addressing violations promptly is crucial for preventing potential nuclear accidents.
Ultimately, the safety and security of nuclear plant sites are paramount, and transparency in reporting violations is essential for ensuring public trust and safety. By reevaluating the approach to assessing violations and considering the total number of findings, the NRC can enhance its oversight and promote a culture of safety within the nuclear industry.
