Virginia Nuclear Plant Receives $100,000 Fine

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has fined Virginia Power $100,000 for safety violations at its Surry nuclear plant, including an incident in which three workers were exposed to radiation because a supervisor let them stay in a high-radiation area too long.

The decision Friday marked the second time this year the plant has been fined by the federal agency. Virginia Power said it would not contest the penalty, which is double the usual fine.

Inspectors said workers at the plant were not properly equipped with monitors when entering high-radiation areas. The utility also failed to post warnings that respirators were required and failed to evaluate adequately the amount of radioactive material in the air, the NRC said.