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Feds challenge TVA over problems at East Tennessee nuclear power plant

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is challenging the Tennessee Valley Authority for what it calls a “chilled work environment” at an East Tennessee nuclear power plant.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports TVA officials met Tuesday with the NRC to talk about reports that employees at the Watts Barr power plant in Spring City, Tennessee, don’t feel comfortable taking safety concerns to TVA management.

During the meeting, TVA officials said they’ve retrained managers on how to better treat workers, surveyed workers about their concerns, and held employee meetings to discuss safety concerns at the nuclear facility.

A watchdog group also testified during the hearing. A representative with the Union of Concerned Scientists scoffed at TVA’s efforts to foster a better working environment at its nuclear plants. The Union rep. noted TVA has had similar problems in the past and doesn’t seem to be learning from those experiences.

The NRC didn’t indicate during the meeting that it plans to discipline TVA for the problems at Spring City, but did say it will continue to monitor the situation.

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