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 October 17, 2007POGO Letter to NRC Chairman Klein concerning the NRC’s investigation of security officer Kerry Beal |
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| October 16, 2007 Chairman Dale E. Klein 11555 Rockville Pike Via facsimile: (301) 415-1757 Dear Chairman Klein, The hero of the sorry Peach Bottom sleeping saga is the security officer who had the dedication and courage to risk his job in order to conduct the investigation that the NRC failed to conduct. He should be given a medal by the NRC. However, after the NRC’s interview of that security officer, Kerry Beal, it now appears that instead, the NRC is investigating him. The NRC Augmented Inspection Team leader acknowledged that most of the guards interviewed were not placed under oath, however Mr. Beal was required to take an oath. Now we understand that the NRC is subpoenaing the hard drive from Mr. Beal's personal computer. There are alternatives to invading Mr. Beal's privacy. While working at the plant, Mr. Beal was put in an untenable situation. Waking up the sleeping security officers would not solve the problem, because of the pervasive culture tolerating inattentiveness. Complaining to supervisors quickly proved fruitless. NRC Region I refused to investigate seriously the security concerns raised in the March letter 2007. Under these circumstances, it was more than understandable, it was heroic, for Mr. Beal to videotape the sleeping guards. The current NRC investigation only went so far as to confirm sleeping on the dates Mr. Beal shot his video. The NRC seems to regard the problem as being that guards were caught on video sleeping, rather than focusing on the underlying fact that guards have been sleeping at Peach Bottom regularly. Again I suggest the NRC’s aim is off. The NRC should be focused on why the NRC didn’t aggressively investigate the sleeping allegation in the letter? And why has the NRC ignored these warnings at other nuclear power plants? Please redirect the efforts of the NRC to focus on the public policy implications raised by Mr. Beal’s whistleblowing, rather than intimidating or shooting the messenger of bad news. I would very much appreciate having the opportunity to sit down with you to discuss this and other security issues. Sincerely, Danielle Brian Executive Director Home I Archives I Expose I Search I Donations I Investigations I About Us I Contact Us I Press Room
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