Mr. KELLY. Yes, sir. But other areas as well. There are a lot of systems and locations with valves and other things that have to be correctly monitored. Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I think if we found one of our airlines had this problem of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll in the cockpit, I don't think that either the pilot or that airline would be in business very long. Perhaps one thing you are lacking is some statutory authority, from what you are relating to us here, and that may be something to look at, a widespread problem. As you have pointed out, we don't even know the extent of the problem. I have some documentation that 289 workers were fired for drug and alcohol abuse during the construction of Seabrook; that 8 workers at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant were arrested, and the deputy sheriff testified that he saw over 100 others using drugs over the course of only 2 months at this one plant; that there have documented instances of licensed operators involved in the sale or use of drugs. It is amazing that we know these things, they are continuing, and yet we are powerless. [EDITOR'S NOTE.-The subcommittee subsequently supplied the following information:] Subject: Purpose: Background: Contact: T. G. Ryan, RES 443-7942 RULEMAKING ISSUE SECY-83-339 The Commissioners William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations FINAL RULEMAKING CONCERNING FITNESS FOR DUTY FOR PERSONNEL WITH To obtain Commission approval to publish a final rule in the On August 5, 1982, the Commission published for comment (47 FR Seventy-three responses containing 310 comments were received PUBLIC CITIZEN Critical Mass Energy Project 215 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.⚫ Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 546-4996 Nuclear Power Going to Pot : Drug and Alcohol Abuse at Nuclear Power Plants BY JOSHUA GORDON FEBRUARY 1987 $10.00 PUBLIC CITIZEN Critical Mass Energy Project 215 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 546-4996 NUCLEAR POWER GOING TO POT: DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS Executive Summary Nuclear power, one of society's most dangerous technologies, is operated not by sober technicians in white coats, but by people who routinely drink on the job and come to work under the influence of drugs. Meanwhile, the federal government, which has made a pledge to wage a war on drugs, remains standing idly by. Over 150 million Americans live within 50 miles of nuclear power plants. Their health and safety depends on the ability of nuclear plant employees to think clearly, to be attentive to their responsiblities, and to make the right decisions during emergencies. All too often however, these workers are using drugs which may significantly increase the chance of a major accident. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), drug and alcohol abuse is "alarming" and getting worse. Even the industry admits that substance abuse at nuclear power plants is "prevalent." Despite the threat to public safety, little is being done by the NRC, by Congress, or by other responsible agencies to stem the problem. According to NRC documents: Over 120 cases of drug and alcohol abuse have occurred during the past several years. These cases involve at least 920 nuclear plant employees, including senior reactor operators and nuclear security guards. The NRC acknowledges that it knows about only a small fraction of the drug and alcohol abuse that takes place. According the the agency, its records represent "just the tip of the iceberg." The NRC calls the startling increase in drug and alcohol abuse "alarming." Six times as many cases were recorded by the RC in 1985 as in 1980. Abuse occurs at virtually every nuclear power plant and nvolves alcoholic beverages, marijuana, as well as a variety of arder drugs such as speed, PCP, quaaludes, cocaine, and LSD. The NRC has done almost nothing about the problem and has stead turned responsiblity over to an industry group, the stitute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), allowing the ndustry to regulate itself. Consequently, few drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs are in place. Where they are, the public, and in many cases the NRC, have no access to records on the programs' effectiveness. The NRC has instituted no procedures to ensure that good programs are developed or implemented. Congress, as well as federal agencies beside the NRC, have jurisidiction or oversight over drug abuse at nuclear power plants. But they too, have failed to take meaningful action. The NRC needs to take clear and concerted action to address the drug and alcohol abuse problem. The NRC should immediately propose regulations which: Require record keeping on drug and alcohol abuse at nuclear power plants; Mandate participation by utilities in programs designed to eliminate drug and alcohol abuse; comply; Contain enforcment mechanisms to ensure that utilities Establish criteria which set minimum standards for utility drug and alcohol programs and provide procedural safeguards for employees who might be affected by them; and Force the NRC to take responsibility to regulate drug and alcohol abuse at nuclear power plants. In addition, Congress should take whatever steps necessary to ensure that the NRC fulfills its obligations. |