Nuclear Power
Worker Falls Into Radioactive Water Pool During Palisades Nuclear Plant Recommissioning
A radiation technician fell into a cavity containing radioactive water, but apparently was not injured seriously as work continues to open the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant by the end of 2025.
A technician working for a contractor conducting radiological assessments at the 800-MW Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, Mich., on Oct. 21 fell into a pool of radioactive water above the reactor, said Holtec International, which owns the decommissioned plant but has begun site work to possibly restart operation by the end of 2025, with the final opening date not confirmed.
The plant restart would be the first in the U.S., propelled by new Trump administration policy on nuclear power.
According to a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission report, the employee of a company that was not identified but has a contract with Holtec, “fell into the reactor cavity ... that is full of water [and] ingested some amount of cavity water." The unidentified individual "was decontaminated by radiation protection personnel but had 300 counts per minute detected in [the person's] hair.”
The recommissioning effort is supported by more than 1,000 contractors, vendors and suppliers, according to Holtec.
Nick Culp, a spokesperson for Holtec International, said the worker “was promptly assisted from the water, evaluated, monitored and decontaminated for removable contamination in accordance with established industry standards and safety procedures.”
The worker sustained minor injuries and has since returned to work, he said.
Culp said radiological assessments of the worker “are ongoing and are expected to confirm exposure well below regulatory and administrative dose limits. The Commission, which regulates nuclear plant construction and operation, "was properly notified, and a review of human performance factors contributing to the incident is underway,” he added.
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The contractor "was wearing all required personal protective equipment, including a life vest, which is standard when working near the pool without a barrier in place."
The Palisades site opened in 1971 and was shut down in 2022. Previous owner Entergy then sold it to Holtec for decommissioning as part of its strategy to exit the nuclear power sector. Holtec, which was overseeing decommissioning, gained NRC approval in July to load fuel at the plant and a relicensing to extend operation.
In August, the plant received new fuel as 68 assemblies. Holtec said procuring the fuel was “among the earliest long-lead activities in the project, requiring months of technical preparation and regulatory coordination.”
New fuel arrives at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
Photo courtesy of Holtec International
Major restoration work is also underway across the plant, including reassembly of the main turbine generator after more than a year of inspections, testing and maintenance. The plant recently received and installed the second of two fully refurbished primary coolant pump motors, which are essential for recirculating reactor coolant. The plant gained a $1.52 billion federal loan earlier this year to finance work related to the restart.
Holtec said chemical cleaning of the secondary side of the steam generators is another critical restoration step, following earlier refurbishment of steam generator tubes to ensure long-term reliability and efficiency.
CEO Kris Singh said more than 1,800 personnel are working on the project.
But Michael Keegan, a member of community group Don’t Waste Michigan, questioned the pace of the restart effort. “Where is the quality assurance?” he said. “They have been at breakneck speed to try to restart this reactor. I’m certainly concerned for the individual who ingested, inhaled or drank contaminated water.”
