Beyond Nuclear

As reported by the Missoula Current. See the second story down the article.

The article reports:

[T]he TVA has worked to adapt to the crisis, including reducing power at some plants. One of its plants, Sequoyah, downsized its refueling crew from 1,000 to 800. No TVA worker had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday.

Regulators also have been scrambling to adapt. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will allow plants to operate with fewer workers on duty for longer hours, said Scott Burnell, a spokesman for the agency, in an email.

Environmental activists say now is not the time to cut corners and risk a nuclear accident. “An accident with a major release of radiation or the threat of it during this time of pandemic and social isolation would be a double whammy,” said Don Safer, a member of the board of the Tennessee Environmental Council, which advocates for renewable energy. “A major evacuation now would be chaos.”

Scott Stapf of The Hastings Group tweeted in response to NEI's letter to DOE:

OUTRAGEOUS: Nuclear industry lobbies Trump Admin for access to gloves, masks & other protective gear needed by frontline health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. They are putting the servicing of their freaking reactors ahead of your health. https://nei.org/CorporateSite/media/filefolder/resources/letters-filings-comments/letter-nei-secretary-brouillette-20200320.pdf…