Officials from the Callaway Energy Center assured the public has never been in danger after a report revealed 225 "lower-level violations" and seven "higher-level" violations occurred at the local nuclear power plant from 2000 to 2012.
The Fulton Sun published an article on Page 1 on Oct. 16 written by the Associated Press ("Uneven enforcement suspected at U.S. nuclear plants") that detailed findings from a 12-year study of all nuclear facilities in the country. The study was commissioned by U.S. Senate after the 2011 earthquake in Japan that resulted in Fukushima nuclear plant to release radiation. The U.S. Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, conducted the study and analysis.
Cleve Reasoner, vice president of engineering for the Callaway Energy Center, said the violations point to problems the nuclear power plant had, but also point to solutions so the same violations do not re-occur. He added that because of the levels of safety and security at each nuclear reactor site, when one layer fails there are other layers or safeguards to prevent a threat to public safety.