NRC says only one safety specialist needed at Pilgrim Nuclar Power Station per shift

[Ian David]

PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station needs just one safety specialist known as a "radiation protection technician" on duty at any given time, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled this week.



The decision comes after union workers objected to plans by plant owner Entergy Nuclear Operations to reduce the number of radiation protection technicians on any given shift from two to one.

The Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 filed a petition with the NRC last month in an effort to stop the change. But the NRC found the proposed change was "consistent with the regulations," NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan told The Cape Cod Times.

According to NRC regulations, having only one radiation protection technician on duty at a time is typical of most other nuclear power plants. Entergy argued there was no justification for requiring Pilgrim to have more.

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