10/22/2009   A misguided repair to valves that would not open fast enough prevented other key valves from opening. Tests after the valve repairs failed to detect the problem. The reactor operated for nearly 18 months with vital emergency systems disabled.

10/21/2008   Fission Stories #27 explains how jellyfish caused the operators to reduce the reactor’s power level.

02/14/2005   UCS raised several human performance problems apparent from events involving operator mistakes in controlling the reactor power level at Unit 1 in a letter to NRC Region IV.  Download the pdf

03/07/1991   Fission Stories #46 covers a series of related miscues including the boom of a mobile crane that struck an overhead power line, tripping the main transformer and reactor.  A misguided repair to valves that would not open fast enough prevented other key valves from opening. Tests after the valve repairs failed to detect the problem. The reactor operated for nearly 18 months with vital emergency systems disabled.

06/1981   Fission Stories #100 explained how the plant’s initial startup was delayed because designers assumed that five large air conditioning units each weighed 45,000 pounds when they actually weighed in closer to 150,000 pounds each.