The Nation - News from Oct. 14, 1988

The manager of the troubled Savannah River Plant in Aiken, S.C., has taken a leave of absence for medical reasons pending his retirement, according to the Du Pont Co., which operates the nuclear complex. Du Pont spokesman Jim Felder said there was no connection between the departure of general manager John T. Granaghan, 59, and problems with the plant’s reactors. The plant’s three reactors were reduced to half-power late last year when experts questioned whether the emergency cooling system could cope with an emergency at full power. Since April, all three reactors have been shut down entirely for maintenance and testing amid additional safety questions.