San Onofre Aide Fails Drug Test
For the first time in the 21-year history of the San Onofre nuclear power plant, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has suspended the license of a reactor operator for failing a drug test.
Maurice P. Acosta Jr. had his license lifted Thursday by the federal agency after he failed for the third time a drug test administered by Southern California Edison, which operates the plant just south of San Clemente.
Acosta had been suspended from work by the utility company two weeks ago after the May 28 test, which was positive for the presence of marijuana, according to a spokesman for Edison.
Acosta was taking part in a routine retraining program last month, spokesman David Barron said, and was not actively involved in the daily operations of the power plant at the time of the test that resulted in his suspension. “There was no safety hazard,” Barron stressed.
Acosta had tested positive for drugs twice before, Barron said.
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