LaSalle - Need of nuclear mgt.?

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

Nuclear Managers ... very much like sports coaches. You can shift 
them around, but eventually you wear them out. The following is an 
article from today's UPI wires. Another analogy ... The nuclear 
utilitys are extensively using the same few consulting firms to look 
at their operations and ways to improve. The ultimate suggestions are 
to give the executives large pay increases, incentives and bonuses. 
Then downsize approximately 5 to 10% a year. If you're not satisfied 
with your current management team, easy. Just get rid of them, pay 
them a big bonus (anyone rememeber Orvitz from Disney .. $90 million 
for 9 months of non-work) and hire one of the other plant's managers. 
Musical chairs at its best. Wonder where Comm. Edison will get their 
new managers this time. Many in their plants already came from my 
former haunts, FPL. Who is next? Give them a big raise, and then get 
rid of a few more employees to pay for it. And, safety is still 
maintained (except when a consultant actually looks at reality) 
......   I applaud this particular consultant firm. Would love to see 
the full report.

---------------
 CHICAGO, Jan. 2 -- A group of consultants hired by Commonwealth
Edison to look over its LaSalle Nuclear Station suggests the nation's
largest nuclear utility continues to struggle with the fundamentals of
running a nuclear power plant. 
 A federal summary of their findings notes problems ranging from 
safety to management issues, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday. 
 Because of what the consultant found, Edison has decided to delay 
restarting the twin-reactor plant 70 miles southwest of Chicago's
Loop, which has been switched off since September for maintenance and
refueling. 
 Though they had significant problems and were shut down temporarily a
  decade ago by the NRC, LaSalle's twin reactors in recent years have
squeaked by with the lowest passing grades for much of their
operations. 
 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission summary says the independent 
analysis found ``a weak safety culture,'' ineffective supervision,
inadequate training, lack of teamwork and poor work quality. 
 Edison has been trying to turn around its problem-plagued nuclear 
division over the last year, making wholesale changes in management at
headquarters and at the plants. 
 In October, the NRC gave LaSalle the lowest possible passing grades 
in three out of four areas it inspected. 

Sandy Perle
Director, Technical Operations
ICN Dosimetry Division
Office: (800) 548-5100 Ext. 2306 
Fax: (714) 668-3149

E-Mail: sandyfl@ix.netcom.com    

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