SEABROOK, N.H. — A Nuclear Regulatory Commission report says the operators of New Hampshire’s Seabrook power plant failed to properly detect a simulated radiological release and failed to advise state emergency planning officials during an emergency preparedness test in April.

The Portsmouth Herald reports the NRC says the plant’s emergency operating facility coordinator failed to recognize the radioactive release the test scenario would cause. The coordinator is responsible for notifying New Hampshire and Massachusetts emergency management officials of off-site radioactive releases. Staffers working with the coordinator also were unaware of the simulated release.

The NRC also says a post-exercise critique performed by Seabrook owner NextEra-Seabrook staff failed to identify the errors.

Plant spokesman Alan Griffith said emergency preparedness drills help uncover problems. He said the plant has undertaken a corrective action program.


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