Key facts
- A contractor fell into a reactor cavity at the Palisades nuclear plant.
- A bundle of nuclear fuel rods tilted over during refuelling at Palisades.
- Nine of 15 reactor operators failed their initial license examination.
- The NRC warned Holtec International about a "chilled work environment" and safety concerns.
- Holtec received a $1.5 billion loan from the Department of Energy for plant restoration.
US regulators have warned Holtec International, a company aiming to restart the shuttered Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, over safety concerns. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission cited a "chilled work environment" where staff may be hesitant to report safety issues. This warning follows an incident where a contractor fell into a reactor cavity and another where a bundle of nuclear fuel rods nearly tipped over during refuelling operations. Nine out of 15 reactor operators also failed their initial license exams.