NRC cites operator exam failures in directive to Holtec at Palisades

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a formal warning to Holtec International regarding safety conditions at the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan. The directive comes as the site prepares for the first restart of a closed reactor in the United States, a move central to the administration's nuclear revival strategy.

The NRC described the site's work environment as chilled. According to the regulator, employees have become reluctant to raise safety concerns due to a fear of retaliation from management. The agency issued the warning after a July inspection raised questions about the plant's overall safety awareness.

Two specific incidents triggered the regulatory review. In a fall incident last year, a contractor entered the reactor cavity, swallowed water, and required off-site medical care. Decontamination efforts by radiation protection staff reduced exposure levels, but a subsequent report found 300 counts per minute in the worker's hair.

A second event occurred in August during a refueling operation. A bundle of nuclear fuel rods tilted over, causing a delay in the restart schedule. This setback interrupted what was expected to be a milestone for the domestic nuclear industry.

The NRC also flagged performance issues among the plant's personnel. Nine of the 15 reactor operators took the initial licensing examination in July and August and failed. Only six individuals received operator licenses from that group.

Holtec International has not previously operated a nuclear power plant. The company has secured approximately $2.2 billion in government support for the Palisades project. Critics argue that the political and financial pressure to restart nuclear facilities in response to rising energy demand from artificial intelligence increases the likelihood of operational errors.

Palisades is one of three shuttered plants currently planning restarts. The owners of Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and Duane Arnold in Iowa announced their own comeback plans shortly after work began at the Michigan site.