http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100219/NEWS04/2190335/1003/NEWS02Whistleblower claims previous leak
By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER - Published: February 19, 2010
MONTPELIER — An apparent Entergy Nuclear whistleblower contacted a critic of the company, saying the radioactive leak at the Vermont Yankee reactor isn't the first time the company has coped with leaky underground radioactive pipes.
On Sunday, the person contacted Arnie Gundersen, a nuclear engineer who is a consultant for the Vermont Legislature and a member of the Vermont Public Oversight Panel.
The whistleblower told Gundersen that about two years ago the company experienced another tritium leak in the same general location that involved a drain pit in the advanced off-gas system, the same place Entergy Nuclear is now excavating in hopes of finding the problem.
<snip>
Gundersen said the employee gave such detailed information it was obvious to him that the person worked at the reactor. Gundersen himself is a former nuclear industry whistleblower.
<snip>
The article has some more information.
The reader comments are also informative:
READER COMMENTS
Is this the same ventilation problem stemming back to 1993 of which William Irwin, the radiological health chief for the Department of Health said "The cause was identified, the cause was eliminated".
And what of the state consultant who left cobalt 60 contamination out of at least one report, do we still use their services?
I wonder if Mr. Irwin is thinking back to september and his blind acceptance of the storm drain, we left highly radioactive equipment out in the rain explanation.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20090917/NEWS02/909170373/1003/NEWS02I wonder now, what is the state consultant going to leave out of these reports, and is William Irwin competent?
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, 3:20 pm EST
This wouldn't surprise me in the least, but I'm taking a wait and see attitude on this one.
I wouldn't put it past Entergy to plant a fake whistleblowing tip that eventually blows up, is proved incorrect, and makes VY look like innocent victims of an Anti-Nuclear Agenda Gone Wild.
-- Posted by Son Of That Guy on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, 9:30 am EST
I'm confused. Is Entergy taking this previous unreported leak very seriously? Or are they taking one of their own squealing on them very seriously?
-- Posted by you've got to be kidding me on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, 7:24 am EST