It looks as if Entergy’s undoing may come as a result of a Michigan holding rather than the redoubtable Vermont Yankee.

Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan, under Entergy’s stewardship, had already achieved the dubious distinction of being named one of the four worst-performing nuclear plants by the NRC.  After limboing that particularly low-bar in the wake of pesky leaks and employee criticism of the safety culture at the plant, new questions concerning the fitness of the Palisades operation have been raised by the revelation that, during a recent visit to Palisades by then NRC Chairman Gregory Jackzo, he was kept in the dark about an ongoing leak issue

The integrity of the Palisades facility was questioned at the time it was under consideration by the NRC for license renewal. Despite protests of concern for the deteriorated condition of the reactor, the NRC (which has never refused to renew a license) granted the 20 year extension in 2007.  

Since then embrittlement has resulted in persistent leaks, one of which was apparently flooding the control room at the end of May, even as Chairman Jackzo was  visiting the facility.

While Jaczko was touring the plant on May 31st, according to the sources, a significant leak of potentially radioactive water was pouring into the control room. Less than two weeks later, the plant was shut down to repair the leak. Yet Jaczko was never made aware of the issue while inspecting the plant.

Then-chairman Jackzo asked for an investigation of why the leak situation had been kept from him but was thwarted by (Republican appointed) Commissioner William Ostendorff, who is now under investigation himself for possible misconduct.

Commissioner William Ostendorff, however, wanted no such investigation to take place. Shortly after Jaczko ordered it, Ostendorff shouted at the top agency investigator, Cheryl McCrary, in front of several NRC employees. He told her that the inquiry should be halted and that it was a “waste of agency resources,”

Soon after, Jackzo stepped down as chair amid a firestorm of political hostility within the Commission; which revealed just how crippled it has become with regard to its mission to regulate safe operation of nuclear facilities.

A witness to the encounter reported it to the Office of the Inspector General, which launched a probe into Ostendorff’s action. McCrary did not halt her own inquiry, the sources said, despite the pressure from Ostendorff.

Now, both the NRC and Entergy are under the gun for hushing news of the leak; and it’s every man for himself.  

When Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R) of Michigan, a champion in Congress of Entergy’s Palisades operation, asked Mr. Ostendorff for reassurance that safe operation of the plant could be relied upon, he received only tepid return:

“So is it your understanding and belief that Entergy and the owners, the operators of this facility, that they are taking all the right actions at this point?” Upton asked.

“I think the final determination of that, Congressman, remains to be seen,” Ostendorff said.