Police arrested a former chemistry manager for New York's Indian Point nuclear plant Tuesday after an investigation alleged he falsified backup diesel generator fuel quality records to keep the plant running.
According to the U.S. district attorney's office, Daniel Wilson, 57, worked at the plant from 2007 through 2012. Among his duties, he was tasked with ensuring particulate levels in the diesel fuel fell within limits set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In 2011, an NRC investigation alleges, he determined levels were high enough to require the reactor to shut down. Prosecutors believe he then fabricated resample results in February of 2012 that showed the emergency diesel systems complied with NRC rules.
According to a release from the DA's office, he admitted to falsifying the records in interviews with the NRC. Wilson faces charges related to willfully violating NRC rules and making false statements. He was released on bail.
Plant owner Entergy said Indian Point workers uncovered the falsified records and reported them to plant managers, who then reported them to the NRC. The fuel in question was in back-up tanks, according to an Entergy release, and an evaluation determined the generators would have performed as designed in an emergency.