NRC drops plan to fine n-plant operator - QUESTIONS?

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

The following article discusses a recent whistleblower at AEP, the worker and 
the NRC. The issues, per the article, is related to "a worker who reported 
receiving a hazardous dose of radiation at the D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Station 
on Lake Michigan. The worker claimed he was discriminated against after 
reporting the exposure to the NRC."  My questions are:

1. Is anyone aware of the REAL issues?
2. What kind of exposure did the worker supposedly receive? Internal/External?
3. Since all exposures are documented, reported to the indivfidual after each      
    badging period, and the NRC in the Annual Form 5, how was this an issue of 
    a dose reported to the NRC considered as a whistleblower issue? Was it      
    that the exposure was determined NOT to be valid, and therefore NOT         
reported on the individual's Form 5?

Tuesday May 19 5:32 PM EDT 

BRIDGMAN, Mich., May 19 (UPI) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has 
dropped a 5-year-old plan to fine the American Electric Power Co. for allegedly 
discriminating against a whistleblower. 

The NRC says today the proposed $25,000 fine against the Columbus, Ohio-
based utility was withdrawn after a judge reversed an earlier decision against 
AEP involving a West Michigan nuclear plant. 

The case stemmed from a worker who reported receiving a hazardous dose of 
radiation at the D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Station on Lake Michigan. The 
worker claimed he was discriminated against after reporting the exposure to the 
NRC. 

Federal law prohibits nuclear plant operators from discriminating against 
workers who file radiation exposure complaints. 

The NRC proposed the fine in 1993 after an administrative law judge with the 
federal labor department ruled in favor of the whistleblower and against an AEP 
contractor, American Nuclear Resources Inc. But a federal appellate court 
recently reversed that decision, ruling in the contractor's favor. 

The NRC says after the appeals ruling, its staff withdrew the 1993 ``notice of 
violation'' and proposed fine. 
------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com

Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205
        
ICN Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -

The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of the author, and NOT my employer