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==Title:==
==Title:==
10 CFR 2.206 Petition RE Vermont Yankee Docket Number:   (n/a)
10 CFR 2.206 Petition RE Vermont Yankee Docket Number:
Location:         (telephone conference)
(n/a)
Date:             Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Work Order No.:   NRC-771                         Pages 1-22 IORIGINAL NEAL R. GROSS AND CO., INC.
Location:
(telephone conference)
Date:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Work Order No.:
NRC-771 Pages 1-22 IORIGINAL NEAL R. GROSS AND CO., INC.
Court Reporters and Transcribers 1323 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.
Court Reporters and Transcribers 1323 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 234-4433
Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 234-4433


1 1                       UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2                    NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
1 1
4            10 CFR 2.206 PETITION REVIEW BOARD                 (PRB) 5                              CONFERENCE CALL 6                                        RE 7                              VERMONT YANKEE 8
2 3
9                                    TUESDAY 10                                MARCH 8,     2011 11 12                      The   conference       call     was   held, Theodore 13  Quay,         Chairman     of     the     Petition       Review     Board, 14  presiding.
4 5
15  PETITIONER:         MICHAEL MULLIGAN 16  PETITION REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS:
6 7
17              THEODORE     QUAY,     Deputy     Director,       Division         of 18                      Policy and Rulemaking,             NRR 19              JAMES KIM,     Petition Manager for 2.206 Petition 20              TANYA MENSAH,       Petition Coordinator 21 22 23 24 25 NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
8 9
(202) 234-4433             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701         www.nealrgross.com
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 10 CFR 2.206 PETITION REVIEW BOARD (PRB)
CONFERENCE CALL RE VERMONT YANKEE TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2011 The conference call was held, Theodore
: Quay, Chairman of the Petition Review
: Board, presiding.
PETITIONER: MICHAEL MULLIGAN PETITION REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS:
THEODORE
: QUAY, Deputy Director, Division of Policy and Rulemaking, NRR JAMES KIM, Petition Manager for 2.206 Petition TANYA MENSAH, Petition Coordinator NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com


2 1 NRC HEADQUARTERS STAFF:
2 1
2            STACEY   L. ROSENBERG,       Branch       Chief,   Generic 3                    Communications & Power Uprate 4            NANCY   SALGADO,       Branch       Chief,     Division         of 5                    Operating Reactor Licensing,               NRR 6            BONNIE SCHNETZLER,       Reactor Security Rulemaking 7                    and Licensing         Branch,       Office of Nuclear 8                    Security and Incident Response 9 NRC REGION I STAFF:
2 3
10              THOMAS           SETZER,               Division                 of 11                    Reactor Projects 12 13  ALSO PRESENT:
4 5
14              JIM DEVINCENTIS,       Entergy Nuclear Operations 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
6 7
(202) 234-4433            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701         www.nealrgross.com
8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NRC HEADQUARTERS STAFF:
STACEY L.
ROSENBERG, Branch
: Chief, Generic Communications & Power Uprate NANCY
: SALGADO, Branch
: Chief, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR BONNIE SCHNETZLER, Reactor Security Rulemaking and Licensing Branch, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response NRC REGION I STAFF:
THOMAS
: SETZER, Division of Reactor Projects ALSO PRESENT:
JIM DEVINCENTIS, Entergy Nuclear Operations NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 (202) 234-4433 www.nealrgross.com


3 1                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS 2                                                                            Page 3 Welcome and Introductions 4              James Kim .........................                         4 5 Opening Remarks 6            Ted Quay ..........................                         7 7 Petitioner's Presentation 8            Michael Mulligan ..................                           11 9 Question and Answer Session ............                                 20 10  Closing Remarks 11              Ted Quay ..........................                         22 12  Adjourn .................................                               23 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
3 1
(202) 234-4433                    WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Welcome and Introductions James Kim.........................
Opening Remarks Ted Quay..........................
Petitioner's Presentation Michael Mulligan..................
Question and Answer Session............
Closing Remarks Ted Quay..........................
Adjourn.................................
4 7
11 20 22 23 NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 (202) 234-4433 www.nealrgross.com


4 1                           P RO C E E D I NG S 2                                                                 (10:02 a.m.)
4 1
3                     MR. KIM:     Good morning.         I would like to 4 thank everyone for attending this meeting.                         My name is 5 James Kim and I am the Vermont Yankee Project Manager.
P RO C E E D I NG S 2
6                     We are here today to allow the Petition, 7 Mr. Michael Mulligan           to address       the Petition Review 8 Board       regarding     2.206     Petition       dated   February         24, 9 2011.
(10:02 a.m.)
10                     I   am     the   Petition         Manager   for       the 11 Petition.         The Petition Review Board Chairman is                       Ted 12 Quay.
3 MR.
13                     As a part of the Petition Review Board's 14 review         of this   petition,         Mr. Michael     Mulligan         has 15 requested         this   opportunity         to   address   the   Petition 16 Review Board.
KIM:
17                     This meeting         is   scheduled from 10:00               to 18 11:00 AM.         The meeting is           being recorded by the NRC 19 Operations Center and will be transcribed by a court 20 reporter.         The transcript will become a supplement to 21 the     petition.         The     transcript       will   also   be     made 22 publicly available.
Good morning.
23                     I   would like         to   open this meeting with 24 introductions.             As we go around the room,               please be 25 sure to clearly state your name,                       your position,         and NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
I would like to 4
(202) 234-4433             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701           www.nealrgross.com
thank everyone for attending this meeting.
My name is 5
James Kim and I am the Vermont Yankee Project Manager.
6 We are here today to allow the Petition, 7
Mr.
Michael Mulligan to address the Petition Review 8
Board regarding 2.206 Petition dated February 24, 9
2011.
10 I
am the Petition Manager for the 11 Petition.
The Petition Review Board Chairman is Ted 12 Quay.
13 As a part of the Petition Review Board's 14 review of this petition, Mr.
Michael Mulligan has 15 requested this opportunity to address the Petition 16 Review Board.
17 This meeting is scheduled from 10:00 to 18 11:00 AM.
The meeting is being recorded by the NRC 19 Operations Center and will be transcribed by a court 20 reporter.
The transcript will become a supplement to 21 the petition.
The transcript will also be made 22 publicly available.
23 I would like to open this meeting with 24 introductions.
As we go around the room, please be 25 sure to clearly state your name, your position, and NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com


5 1 the office         that you work for within the NRC for the 2 record.       I'll     start     off.
1 2
3                      This is       James Kim.       I am a project manager for     the Division of Operating                     Reactor   Licensing         in 5 NRR.
3 4
6                      MS.     MENSAH:         Tanya     Mensah,   the     2.206 7 Coordinator,         Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
5 6
8                      MS. ROSENBERG:         Stacey Rosenberg,         Branch 9 Chief       of Generic         Communications           and Power Uprates, 10  Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
7 8
11                      CHAIRMAN QUAY:           Ted Quay, Deputy Director 12  of     Division       of     Policy     and   Rulemaking,       Office         of 13  Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 5
14                      MR. KIM:     At this time,         are there any NRC 15  participants         from the Headquarters on the phone?
the office that you work for within the NRC for the record.
16                      MS. SALGADO:       This is     Nancy Salgado.         I am 17  a Branch Chief             in   the Division of Operator Reactor 18  Licensing NRR.
I'll start off.
19                      MR. KIM:     Are there any NRC participants 20  from the Regional Office on the phone?
This is James Kim.
21                      MR. SETZER:       Yes,   hello.       This is   Thomas 22  Setzer.        I am a Senior Project Engineer in                     Region I 23  for the Division of Reactor Projects.
I am a project manager for the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing in NRR.
24                      MR. KIM:     Are there any representatives 25  for the licensee on the phone?
MS.
MENSAH:
Tanya
: Mensah, the 2.206 Coordinator, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
MS.
ROSENBERG:
Stacey Rosenberg, Branch Chief of Generic Communications and Power Uprates, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Ted Quay, Deputy Director of Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
MR.
KIM:
At this time, are there any NRC participants from the Headquarters on the phone?
MS.
SALGADO:
This is Nancy Salgado.
I am a Branch Chief in the Division of Operator Reactor Licensing NRR.
from the Setzer.
for the for the MR.
KIM:
Are there any NRC participants Regional Office on the phone?
MR.
SETZER:
Yes, hello.
This is Thomas I am a Senior Project Engineer in Region I Division of Reactor Projects.
MR.
KIM:
Are there any representatives licensee on the phone?
NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701         www.nealrgross.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com (202) 234-4433


6 1                     MR. DEVINCENTIS:               Yes,       this     is       Jim 2 Devincentis of Entergy Nuclear Operations.
6 1
3                     MR. KIM:     Mr. Mulligan,       would you please 4   introduce yourself for the record?
MR.
5                     MR. MULLIGAN:       I'm Mike Mulligan and I am 6 a whistle blower,             and I have worked in             the industry in 7   the past.
DEVINCENTIS:
8                       MR. KIM:     Thank you.           It   is   not required 9   for the members of the public to introduce themselves 10 for this call.             However,     if   there are any members of 11 the public on the phone                 that wish to do so at this 12 time,       please state your name for the record.
: Yes, this is Jim 2
13                       (No response.)
Devincentis of Entergy Nuclear Operations.
14                       MR. KIM:     Hearing none,           I would     like to 15 emphasize         that   we   each   need     to     speak       clearly       and 16 loudly         to   make   sure     that     the     court       reporter         can 17 accurately transcribe               this meeting.             If   you do have 18 something         that you would like               to say,         please     first 19 state your name for the record.
3 MR.
20                       For those dialing into the meeting, please 21 remember         to     mute     your     phones         to     minimize         any 22 background noise or distractions.                         If   you do not have 23 a mute button,           this can be done by pressing the keys 24 *6.       To un-mute press the *6             keys again.             Thank you.
KIM:
25                     At this time, I'll           turn it       over to the PRB NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
Mr. Mulligan, would you please 4
(202) 234-4433               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701             www.nealrgross.com
introduce yourself for the record?
5 MR.
MULLIGAN:
I'm Mike Mulligan and I am 6
a whistle blower, and I have worked in the industry in 7
the past.
8 MR.
KIM:
Thank you.
It is not required 9
for the members of the public to introduce themselves 10 for this call.
: However, if there are any members of 11 the public on the phone that wish to do so at this 12 time, please state your name for the record.
13 (No response.)
14 MR.
KIM:
Hearing none, I would like to 15 emphasize that we each need to speak clearly and 16 loudly to make sure that the court reporter can 17 accurately transcribe this meeting.
If you do have 18 something that you would like to say, please first 19 state your name for the record.
20 For those dialing into the meeting, please 21 remember to mute your phones to minimize any 22 background noise or distractions.
If you do not have 23 a mute button, this can be done by pressing the keys 24  
*6.
To un-mute press the *6 keys again.
Thank you.
25 At this time, I'll turn it over to the PRB NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com


7 1 Chairman,         Ted Quay.
7 1
2                     CHAIRMAN QUAY:         Good morning.           Welcome to 3 this meeting regarding the 2.206 petition submitted by 4 Mr. Mulligan.
Chairman, Ted Quay.
5                     I'd   like to first       share some background on 6 our process.           Section 2.206 of Title 10 of the Code of 7 Federal         Regulations       describes       the petition process, 8 the     primary       mechanism       for   the     public     to   request 9 enforcement         action by the NRC in                 a public     process.
2 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
10 This process           permits     anyone     to petition         the NRC to 11 take enforcement-type action related to NRC licensees 12 or licensed activities.
Good morning.
13                     Depending         on     the       results     of       its 14 evaluation,         NRC could modify,           suspend,       or revoke         an 15 NRC-issued         license       or   take     any     other     appropriate 16 enforcement           action     to   resolve       a   problem.       The     NRC 17 staff's       guidance for the disposition of 2.206 petition 18 requests         is   in   Management       Directive         8.11,   which       is 19 publicly available.
Welcome to 3
20                   The purpose       of today's meeting             is to give 21 the       petitioner         an   opportunity           to   provide         any 22 additional         explanation       or support         for   the   petition 23 before           the     Petition         Review         Board's       initial 24 consideration and recommendation.
this meeting regarding the 2.206 petition submitted by 4
25                   This meeting is         not a hearing,         nor is     it   an NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
Mr. Mulligan.
(202) 234-4433               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701           www.nealrgross.com v
5 I'd like to first share some background on 6
our process.
Section 2.206 of Title 10 of the Code of 7
Federal Regulations describes the petition process, 8
the primary mechanism for the public to request 9
enforcement action by the NRC in a public process.
10 This process permits anyone to petition the NRC to 11 take enforcement-type action related to NRC licensees 12 or licensed activities.
13 Depending on the results of its 14 evaluation, NRC could modify, suspend, or revoke an 15 NRC-issued license or take any other appropriate 16 enforcement action to resolve a problem.
The NRC 17 staff's guidance for the disposition of 2.206 petition 18 requests is in Management Directive 8.11, which is 19 publicly available.
20 The purpose of today's meeting is to give 21 the petitioner an opportunity to provide any 22 additional explanation or support for the petition 23 before the Petition Review Board's initial 24 consideration and recommendation.
25 This meeting is not a hearing, nor is it an NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com v


8 1 opportunity for the petitioner to question or examine 2 the PRB on the merits or the issues presented in                               the 3 petition request.
8 1
4                   No decisions       regarding the merits of this 5 petition will be made at this meeting.
opportunity for the petitioner to question or examine 2
6                   Following this meeting,             the Petition Review 7 Board will conduct             its   internal       deliberations.             The 8 outcome       of   this   internal       meeting       will   be discussed 9 with the petitioner.
the PRB on the merits or the issues presented in the 3
10                   The Petition Review Board typically consists 11 of     a     Chairman,     usually       a   manager       at   the   senior 12 executive service level at the NRC.                       It has a Petition 13 Manager       and   a   Petition       Review       Board     Coordinator.
petition request.
14 Other members of the Board are determined by the NRC 15 staff       based on the content of the information in                         the 16 petition request.
4 No decisions regarding the merits of this 5
17                   At this time,       I would like to introduce the 18 Board.         I   am Ted     Quay,     the     Petition       Review     Board 19 Chairman.         James Kim is       the Petition Manager for the 20 petition under discussion today.                     Tanya Mensah is           the 21 office's       Petition Review Board Coordinator.
petition will be made at this meeting.
22                   Our     technical         staff       includes       Bonnie 23 Schnetzler         from the Reactor Security Rulemaking                         and 24 Licensing Branch in the Office of Nuclear Security and 25 Incident Response and Thomas Setzer from NRC's Region NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
6 Following this meeting, the Petition Review 7
(202) 234-4433             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701           www.nealrgross.com
Board will conduct its internal deliberations.
The 8
outcome of this internal meeting will be discussed 9
with the petitioner.
10 The Petition Review Board typically consists 11 of a
: Chairman, usually a manager at the senior 12 executive service level at the NRC.
It has a Petition 13 Manager and a Petition Review Board Coordinator.
14 Other members of the Board are determined by the NRC 15 staff based on the content of the information in the 16 petition request.
17 At this time, I would like to introduce the 18 Board.
I am Ted Quay, the Petition Review Board 19 Chairman.
James Kim is the Petition Manager for the 20 petition under discussion today.
Tanya Mensah is the 21 office's Petition Review Board Coordinator.
22 Our technical staff includes Bonnie 23 Schnetzler from the Reactor Security Rulemaking and 24 Licensing Branch in the Office of Nuclear Security and 25 Incident Response and Thomas Setzer from NRC's Region NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com


9 1 I Division of Reactor Projects.
9 1
2                 As described in         our process,       the NRC staff 3 may       ask   clarifying       questions       in   order     to   better 4 understand the petitioner's                 presentation and to reach 5 a reasoned decision whether to accept or reject the 6 petitioner's           requests     for     review     under     the     2.206 7 process.
I Division of Reactor Projects.
8                   I would like to summarize the scope of the 9 petition under consideration and the NRC activities                               to 10 date.
2 As described in our process, the NRC staff 3
11                 On February 24,       2011, Mr. Mulligan submitted 12 to     the     NRC   a   petition     under     2.206   concerning           the 13 Entergy's release of a public relations video,                               which 14 Mr.       Mulligan       believes         releases       security-related 15 information of the plant to the nation and beyond.
may ask clarifying questions in order to better 4
16                   In   this   petition,       Mr. Mulligan     requested 17 emergency         shutdown     of   Vermont       Yankee     because         you 18 stated that the Brattleboro Reformer released a video 19 which       was   provided     by   Entergy       from   their     website 20 detailing         the Vermont Yankee           control     room and vital 21 security-related           information throughout the plant.
understand the petitioner's presentation and to reach 5
22                 You believe that the video provided visual 23 cues to possible terrorists,                 including the location of 24 all     ECCS controls and other details which should not 25 be made known to the public.
a reasoned decision whether to accept or reject the 6
petitioner's requests for review under the 2.206 7
process.
8 I would like to summarize the scope of the 9
petition under consideration and the NRC activities to 10 date.
11 On February 24, 2011, Mr. Mulligan submitted 12 to the NRC a petition under 2.206 concerning the 13 Entergy's release of a public relations video, which 14 Mr.
Mulligan believes releases security-related 15 information of the plant to the nation and beyond.
16 In this petition, Mr.
Mulligan requested 17 emergency shutdown of Vermont Yankee because you 18 stated that the Brattleboro Reformer released a video 19 which was provided by Entergy from their website 20 detailing the Vermont Yankee control room and vital 21 security-related information throughout the plant.
22 You believe that the video provided visual 23 cues to possible terrorists, including the location of 24 all ECCS controls and other details which should not 25 be made known to the public.
NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
(202) 234-4433             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701           www.nealrgross.com
(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com


10 1                 Allow me to discuss the NRC activities                           to 2 date.       On March 3,     2011,   you requested to address the 3 Petition         Review       Board     to   provide       supplemental 4 information         for   the   Board's     consideration         prior       to 5 Petition Review Board's               internal meeting to make an 6 initial       recommendation.
10 1
7                 On March 3,       2011,   the PRB met internally to 8 discuss       the   request     for   immediate       action.       The     PRB 9 denied the request for immediate action because there 10 was no immediate             safety concern to the plant,                   or to 11 the health and safety of the public.                           In   addition, 12 there       was   no   release       of   anything       sensitive           or 13 security-related.             The   PRB concluded         that the video 14 had been edited and controlled by Entergy for security 15 purposes.
Allow me to discuss the NRC activities to 2
16                 On March 3,       2011,     you were informed of the 17 PRB's decisions on the immediate action.
date.
18                 As a reminder         for the phone participants, 19 please identify yourself if                 you make any remarks,               as 20 this       will   help   in   the   preparation         of   the   meeting 21 transcript         that   will     be   made     publicly       available.
On March 3, 2011, you requested to address the 3
Petition Review Board to provide supplemental 4
information for the Board's consideration prior to 5
Petition Review Board's internal meeting to make an 6
initial recommendation.
7 On March 3, 2011, the PRB met internally to 8
discuss the request for immediate action.
The PRB 9
denied the request for immediate action because there 10 was no immediate safety concern to the plant, or to 11 the health and safety of the public.
In addition, 12 there was no release of anything sensitive or 13 security-related.
The PRB concluded that the video 14 had been edited and controlled by Entergy for security 15 purposes.
16 On March 3, 2011, you were informed of the 17 PRB's decisions on the immediate action.
18 As a reminder for the phone participants, 19 please identify yourself if you make any remarks, as 20 this will help in the preparation of the meeting 21 transcript that will be made publicly available.
22 Thank you.
22 Thank you.
23                 And at this point,           Mr. Mulligan,     I'm going 24 to turn it         over to you.
23 And at this point, Mr. Mulligan, I'm going 24 to turn it over to you.
25                 MR. MULLIGAN:       I can remember when I was an NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
25 MR.
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MULLIGAN:
I can remember when I was an NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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11 1 employee working at Vermont Yankee and I was getting 2 fired,       I was in     the process of getting fired.                   I had 3 six whistle blower               suits pending           and it   was   pretty 4 bleak.
11 1
5                 And     one   day   it       was actually   I   am   being 6 followed around the plant by this security official, 7 the on-shift supervisor.                   And I am really afraid that 8 this guy is         following me around.             And I am saying well 9 I am going to get fired tomorrow.                         They want to make 10 sure that         I don't     do anything         crazy and stuff         like 11 that.
employee working at Vermont Yankee and I was getting 2
12                 So he is       following me around the plant and 13 you know,         I   am going in         and out.       And I am watching 14 this guy and he is             quite a distance away from me.                   And 15 I can see his face;             it is     all   nervous and tense.           And 16 so     you     know,     my   heart       is     racing,   beating,     almost 17 coming out of my chest I am so scared.
fired, I was in the process of getting fired.
18                 And so finally             I   say to myself,     you know 19 what,       I am sick and tired of this.                   And I   said,     I am 20 just going to turn around.                     I am going to talk to the 21 guy and it           doesn't matter what happens.                   I   am just 22 going to figure out what is                     going on and make myself 23 comfortable.
I had 3
24                 So I turned around and I go up to him.                         And 25 certainly his face is               really tense and stuff.               And I NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
six whistle blower suits pending and it was pretty 4
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bleak.
5 And one day it was actually I
am being 6
followed around the plant by this security official, 7
the on-shift supervisor.
And I am really afraid that 8
this guy is following me around.
And I am saying well 9
I am going to get fired tomorrow.
They want to make 10 sure that I don't do anything crazy and stuff like 11 that.
12 So he is following me around the plant and 13 you know, I am going in and out.
And I am watching 14 this guy and he is quite a distance away from me.
And 15 I can see his face; it is all nervous and tense.
And 16 so you know, my heart is
: racing, beating, almost 17 coming out of my chest I am so scared.
18 And so finally I say to myself, you know 19
: what, I am sick and tired of this.
And I said, I am 20 just going to turn around.
I am going to talk to the 21 guy and it doesn't matter what happens.
I am just 22 going to figure out what is going on and make myself 23 comfortable.
24 So I turned around and I go up to him.
And 25 certainly his face is really tense and stuff.
And I NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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12 1 said,       "What is   going on here?"           And so then he starts.
12 1
2 And so I         talk about       the weather       and I   get     a little 3 comfortable.               And     basically,       he   says     I've     got 4 something to tell             you, Mike,       and you can do with this 5 information anything you want.
said, "What is going on here?"
6                   And   he     goes   on   and     talks   to     me     about 7 security         problems       they were     having     with   the     fence 8 motion detector and how they are having troubles with 9 the cameras and stuff.               And he reminds me that Gate 1, 10 the security gate,             the main security gate,           is   all   old 11 and decrepit           and all       the   equipment       is not working.
And so then he starts.
12 And he is         just disgusted with the place and stuff.
2 And so I talk about the weather and I get a little 3
13                   And so you know,         I didn't know what to do.
comfortable.
14 I   didn't       know   if   it   was   a   setup     or what have         you.
And basically, he says I've got 4
15 What     do you do with something like                   that?       Why does 16 somebody come up to you in                 a plant?       Especially this 17 is   the senior security guy on shift                     and wants me to 18 handle his problems and stuff like that.
something to tell you, Mike, and you can do with this 5
19                   So anyways I think about it             and I think that 20 T am going           to   disclose       security       events   to   outside 21 people and stuff like that.                   You know,     am I going to 22 get     in     trouble     and stuff.         And basically         I   wrote a 23 letter       up to my lawyer and I detailed,                   and we had a 24 phone call discussion and stuff.                       I told him what was 25 going on.
information anything you want.
6 And he goes on and talks to me about 7
security problems they were having with the fence 8
motion detector and how they are having troubles with 9
the cameras and stuff.
And he reminds me that Gate 1, 10 the security gate, the main security gate, is all old 11 and decrepit and all the equipment is not working.
12 And he is just disgusted with the place and stuff.
13 And so you know, I didn't know what to do.
14 I didn't know if it was a setup or what have you.
15 What do you do with something like that?
Why does 16 somebody come up to you in a plant?
Especially this 17 is the senior security guy on shift and wants me to 18 handle his problems and stuff like that.
19 So anyways I think about it and I think that 20 T am going to disclose security events to outside 21 people and stuff like that.
You know, am I going to 22 get in trouble and stuff.
And basically I wrote a 23 letter up to my lawyer and I detailed, and we had a 24 phone call discussion and stuff.
I told him what was 25 going on.
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13 1                   And within       a   couple     of     days,   they had         a 2   security       team down       at   Vermont       Yankee.       They     found 3 everything that I said as accurate.                       They also within 4 a short period went into a construction phase and they 5 rebuilt the main security gate,                     the Gate number one, 6 the main security gate and stuff                       like that.           So in 7 essence,       they repaired all         the sensor motion detectors 8 and all       that sort of stuff.
13 1
9                   And that essentially, you know,                 set me up as 10 somebody that could be talked to with Vermont Yankee 11 security issues.           And I always felt           very uncomfortable 12 with the whole deal and stuff like that with this.
And within a couple of days, they had a 2
13                   And we had issues to the lead up to 9/11.
security team down at Vermont Yankee.
14 I was involved with security employees and talking and 15 stuff like that.             I was talking to the state and all 16 this sort of stuff.
They found 3
17                   Of course,     two weeks before             9/11,   Vermont 18 Yankee failed its           security exam and to a large part, 19 the NRC,         I suspect,     and state officials,               I suspect, 20 were aware         of my concerns or aware                 of the   security 21 employees'         concerns.         And     once       9/11   happened         of 22 course,       then   --   Well     before     that     they   failed       their 23 exam within weeks,             within a week           or two     and stuff.
everything that I said as accurate.
24 And then after 9/11 it               came out that they failed the 25 exam.
They also within 4
a short period went into a construction phase and they 5
rebuilt the main security gate, the Gate number one, 6
the main security gate and stuff like that.
So in 7
essence, they repaired all the sensor motion detectors 8
and all that sort of stuff.
9 And that essentially, you know, set me up as 10 somebody that could be talked to with Vermont Yankee 11 security issues.
And I always felt very uncomfortable 12 with the whole deal and stuff like that with this.
13 And we had issues to the lead up to 9/11.
14 I was involved with security employees and talking and 15 stuff like that.
I was talking to the state and all 16 this sort of stuff.
17 Of course, two weeks before 9/11, Vermont 18 Yankee failed its security exam and to a large part, 19 the NRC, I suspect, and state officials, I suspect, 20 were aware of my concerns or aware of the security 21 employees' concerns.
And once 9/11 happened of 22 course, then --
Well before that they failed their 23 exam within weeks, within a week or two and stuff.
24 And then after 9/11 it came out that they failed the 25 exam.
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14 1                   And well you know,           then there was a pretty 2 good recovery.               Then everybody took it             serious and a 3 lot of things were done and stuff.
14 1
4                   And so that has always been the issue.                       You 5 know?         It   is not security-related issues.                 You know, 6 I have had a footprint over --                   People say I shaped the 7 security         stance     at Vermont       Yankee     over a   number of 8 years       because     of my relationship with employees and 9 what have you.             Probably the only place in               the United 10 States.
And well you know, then there was a pretty 2
11                   But always the issue always has been with 12 security-related issues.                   What is     doing good and what 13 is   doing bad.           You know,       everything       has,   you know, 14 every tool you have you can use it                       in a good manner or 15 you can use           it   in   a bad manner.           You can use it         to 16 hide things or you can use that same tool to open up 17 the world for everybody and let                     them see what is         going 18 on.       And then everything starts                   to repair itself         and 19 stuff.           That has always been the issue with Vermont 20 Yankee security.
good recovery.
21                   And   a     lot     of   times     you   get   in     these 22 officials         and 9/11 certainly shows you that.                 A lot of 23 times they get into the protective mode and they put 24 everything under secrecy,                   being secret and it           is   not 25 to protect us.             It   is   to protect themselves.           It   is   to NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
Then everybody took it serious and a 3
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lot of things were done and stuff.
4 And so that has always been the issue.
You 5
know?
It is not security-related issues.
You know, 6
I have had a footprint over -- People say I shaped the 7
security stance at Vermont Yankee over a number of 8
years because of my relationship with employees and 9
what have you.
Probably the only place in the United 10 States.
11 But always the issue always has been with 12 security-related issues.
What is doing good and what 13 is doing bad.
You know, everything has, you know, 14 every tool you have you can use it in a good manner or 15 you can use it in a bad manner.
You can use it to 16 hide things or you can use that same tool to open up 17 the world for everybody and let them see what is going 18 on.
And then everything starts to repair itself and 19 stuff.
That has always been the issue with Vermont 20 Yankee security.
21 And a
lot of times you get in these 22 officials and 9/11 certainly shows you that.
A lot of 23 times they get into the protective mode and they put 24 everything under secrecy, being secret and it is not 25 to protect us.
It is to protect themselves.
It is to NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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15 1 protect the NRC,             for       the officials       to protect their 2 own jobs and stuff like that.                       It   has nothing to do 3 with protecting the community and stuff.                           And over 20 4 years,       I have seen that.             I have seen a lot of these 5 issues where people are protecting themselves.
15 1
6                   Last year, or two years ago, you know,                     I was 7 involved         in   some   stuff     with Vermont       Yankee     and the 8 next thing you know,                 I get two FBI guys at my house.
protect the NRC, for the officials to protect their 2
9 Well,     they gave me a call and I was down to the police 10 station talking about what I know and stuff.                             And you 11 know that whole issue with Vermont Yankee doing their 12 training down in Massachusetts and stuff and bothering 13 people with their guns.                   You know,     the whole thing and 14 stuff like that.               I mean,       that is     what it     was about.
own jobs and stuff like that.
15                   So again,       it   is   the issue of what is             doing 16 good.         Is   secrecy?         You know,     do you allow a set of 17 officials         to define what security-related matter is?
It has nothing to do 3
18 And how do you know what                   interest they are pushing?
with protecting the community and stuff.
19 You     know,     is   it   their       own   interest       or   is   it     the 20 community's interest?                   How do you know?
And over 20 4
21                   As far as the secrecy-related                   issues,       are 22 they       hiding       something?           You   know,     are   they     using 23 national security or terrorism-related events to hide 24 their       sins?     You know,       well the terrorists         are coming 25 and we have got to hide everything.                         And you know,         we NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
: years, I have seen that.
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I have seen a lot of these 5
issues where people are protecting themselves.
6 Last year, or two years ago, you know, I was 7
involved in some stuff with Vermont Yankee and the 8
next thing you know, I get two FBI guys at my house.
9 Well, they gave me a call and I was down to the police 10 station talking about what I know and stuff.
And you 11 know that whole issue with Vermont Yankee doing their 12 training down in Massachusetts and stuff and bothering 13 people with their guns.
You know, the whole thing and 14 stuff like that.
I mean, that is what it was about.
15 So again, it is the issue of what is doing 16 good.
Is secrecy?
You know, do you allow a set of 17 officials to define what security-related matter is?
18 And how do you know what interest they are pushing?
19 You know, is it their own interest or is it the 20 community's interest?
How do you know?
21 As far as the secrecy-related issues, are 22 they hiding something?
You know, are they using 23 national security or terrorism-related events to hide 24 their sins?
You know, well the terrorists are coming 25 and we have got to hide everything.
And you know, we NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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16 1 have got to put everything under a security shield and 2 then       nobody     gets       to   see   what     is     going     on     until 3 something         big happens.           And that         is   what you worry 4 about.         These   things are         security         can   --   or secrecy 5 and     security-related             health     interests           could     end up 6 pushing it         into a deeper problem and protecting you 7 from terrorists.
16 1
8                   This transparency and secrecy, you know,                               it 9 is   a two-edged         sword,       a two-edged           sword and stuff.
have got to put everything under a security shield and 2
10 And you know,         I trust       the community people.                 I mean,       we 11 are tired         of being treated as terrorists                       first.         You 12 know       we   question         Vermont       Yankee's         security.             We 13 question,         talk to the NRC about                 it,     and stuff         like 14 that.         And the     first       thing,     you know,           people don't 15 want       to   talk     about       it.       They       assume         you     are       a 16 terrorist.           They assume         that people           around Vermont 17 Yankee are the terrorists                   and they tend to hide their 18 faults         and   sins     so     that     the   terrorists             can     take 19 advantage of the situation.
then nobody gets to see what is going on until 3
20                   So that     --  I mean,     I am just         trying       to give 21 people some background here on where we stand.
something big happens.
22                   You know,       the big problem I have is                   with the 23 door,       I mean,     the control room door and around that.
And that is what you worry 4
24 I mean,       that plays no role whatsoever with the film.
about.
25 You know,         I could have swallowed down everything else NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
These things are security can --
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or secrecy 5
and security-related health interests could end up 6
pushing it into a deeper problem and protecting you 7
from terrorists.
8 This transparency and secrecy, you know, it 9
is a two-edged sword, a two-edged sword and stuff.
10 And you know, I trust the community people. I mean, we 11 are tired of being treated as terrorists first.
You 12 know we question Vermont Yankee's security.
We 13 question, talk to the NRC about it, and stuff like 14 that.
And the first thing, you know, people don't 15 want to talk about it.
They assume you are a
16 terrorist.
They assume that people around Vermont 17 Yankee are the terrorists and they tend to hide their 18 faults and sins so that the terrorists can take 19 advantage of the situation.
20 So that I mean, I am just trying to give 21 people some background here on where we stand.
22 You know, the big problem I have is with the 23 door, I mean, the control room door and around that.
24 I mean, that plays no role whatsoever with the film.
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17 1 as a typical public relation ploy but the door was the 2 thing that bothered me the most and nobody --                           I mean, 3 the big deal with this was that the door wasn't,                                 Mr.
17 1
as a typical public relation ploy but the door was the 2
thing that bothered me the most and nobody --
I mean, 3
the big deal with this was that the door wasn't, Mr.
4 Quay didn't talk about the door being --
4 Quay didn't talk about the door being --
5                 You see the size of the door, the thickness, 6 the mechanism in           the background.           You know,     you get a 7 lot of details,           security details out of that.                   And I 8 don't think that was appropriate to show to the public 9 or anybody else.
5 You see the size of the door, the thickness, 6
10                 Also we       noticed that         all     fuel,   the     spent 11 fuel pad out there,               you showed inside the pad.                     You 12 know,     you have got a wooden fence around it.                       What is 13 the     wooden       fence   for?       Is   it     security-related             so 14 people don't have any visual cues of what is                               inside 15 there?         That is     what this seems to be.               Or maybe you 16 don't want people taking pictures from a distance of 17 those pads.           I don't know.
the mechanism in the background.
18                 It   looks to me as though that wooden fence 19 around the pad is             security-related.               You don't want 20 anybody       to   really have       any cues         of   what   is   behind 21 there       and   it   makes     sense     to me.         And   then you         go 22 inside there with a camera and you show everything?
You know, you get a 7
23 It   just doesn't,         the whole thing doesn't make sense.
lot of details, security details out of that.
24                 One minute Vermont             Yankee       is talking they 25 are     heroic       as   far   as not     having     the   public     inside NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
And I 8
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don't think that was appropriate to show to the public 9
or anybody else.
10 Also we noticed that all
: fuel, the spent 11 fuel pad out there, you showed inside the pad.
You 12 know, you have got a wooden fence around it.
What is 13 the wooden fence for?
Is it security-related so 14 people don't have any visual cues of what is inside 15 there?
That is what this seems to be.
Or maybe you 16 don't want people taking pictures from a distance of 17 those pads.
I don't know.
18 It looks to me as though that wooden fence 19 around the pad is security-related.
You don't want 20 anybody to really have any cues of what is behind 21 there and it makes sense to me.
And then you go 22 inside there with a camera and you show everything?
23 It just doesn't, the whole thing doesn't make sense.
24 One minute Vermont Yankee is talking they 25 are heroic as far as not having the public inside NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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18 1 Vermont Yankee looking at everything.                     The next thing, 2 they are showing a video of basically the same thing.
18 1
3 It   doesn't make sense,         as far as what is             to be shown 4 and what not to be shown.
Vermont Yankee looking at everything.
5               And so the door is           one and the pad is                 the 6 other that I have issues with.                 And it     is   the general 7 idea that how do we trust.                 If   everything         is   secret 8 from the community, how do we trust                 the government and 9 Entergy to do the bidding of our interests?                         How do we 10 do     that?     I mean,     if   everything       is     secret       about 11 security and very little             public knowledge of what is 12 going on,     how do we trust         the system to act in                   our 13 interest?       You can't.       There is   just no way you could.
The next thing, 2
14               From all   this stuff over 20 years, you can't 15 trust     people really doing things behind our backs and 16 expecting them to act in             our interests.           The only way 17 it   really works is     that the public is             involved and if 18 they can see shortcomings and criticize                     what is       going 19 on and stuff like that,             and see what is           going on and 20 participate.
they are showing a video of basically the same thing.
21               You know it     is a tradeoff.         It   is   a tradeoff 22 on both ways.       Just pure security and secrecy doesn't 23 work and stuff.         It   really doesn't.
3 It doesn't make sense, as far as what is to be shown 4
24               And so I mean,         that is     the problem we have 25 in   general with security at the nuclear plants here.
and what not to be shown.
5 And so the door is one and the pad is the 6
other that I have issues with.
And it is the general 7
idea that how do we trust.
If everything is secret 8
from the community, how do we trust the government and 9
Entergy to do the bidding of our interests?
How do we 10 do that?
I
: mean, if everything is secret about 11 security and very little public knowledge of what is 12 going on, how do we trust the system to act in our 13 interest?
You can't.
There is just no way you could.
14 From all this stuff over 20 years, you can't 15 trust people really doing things behind our backs and 16 expecting them to act in our interests.
The only way 17 it really works is that the public is involved and if 18 they can see shortcomings and criticize what is going 19 on and stuff like that, and see what is going on and 20 participate.
21 You know it is a tradeoff.
It is a tradeoff 22 on both ways.
Just pure security and secrecy doesn't 23 work and stuff.
It really doesn't.
24 And so I mean, that is the problem we have 25 in general with security at the nuclear plants here.
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19 1 Security       --
19 1
2                     I mean,   how does the public verify that all 3 this stuff is         being done in         our interests?       How do we 4   know     that     you   aren't       using   rules     to hide     things 5 instead of fix things and stuff?
Security --
6                   I mean and the industry has had a history 7 with that; sleeping guards and all                       sorts of stuff in 8 the past and stuff.               And so the question is,         you know, 9 what is       the proper role of the public involvement and 10 what they can see and how do they protect themselves?
2 I mean, how does the public verify that all 3
11 And I think that is             what a lot of this issue is             about.
this stuff is being done in our interests?
12 And we don't think that the community being assumed to 13 being terrorists           first     is   something we can live with.
How do we 4
14                   And thank you very much for this opportunity 15 to talk to you.
know that you aren't using rules to hide things 5
16                     CHAIRMAN QUAY:           Okay. At this time,         does 17 the Staff here at Headquarters have any questions for 18 Mr. Mulligan?
instead of fix things and stuff?
19                     MS. MENSAH:         Mr. Mulligan,     this is     Tanya 20 Mensah.         I am the 2.206 Coordinator.                 And I just had 21 a couple         of   questions       for my clarification,           if     you 22 don't mind.
6 I mean and the industry has had a history 7
23                     MR. MULLIGAN:         Sure.
with that; sleeping guards and all sorts of stuff in 8
24                   MS. MENSAH:     The first       one was when we first 25 opened,         you     were       talking       about     some   of       the NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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And so the question is, you know, 9
what is the proper role of the public involvement and 10 what they can see and how do they protect themselves?
11 And I think that is what a lot of this issue is about.
12 And we don't think that the community being assumed to 13 being terrorists first is something we can live with.
14 And thank you very much for this opportunity 15 to talk to you.
16 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Okay.
At this time, does 17 the Staff here at Headquarters have any questions for 18 Mr. Mulligan?
19 MS.
MENSAH:
Mr.
Mulligan, this is Tanya 20 Mensah.
I am the 2.206 Coordinator.
And I just had 21 a couple of questions for my clarification, if you 22 don't mind.
23 MR.
MULLIGAN:
Sure.
24 MS.
MENSAH:
The first one was when we first 25
: opened, you were talking about some of the NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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20 1 interactions you had while you were still                         an employee 2 of Entergy and you mentioned                     --
20 1
3                   MR. MULLIGAN:       No,     I wasn't.       Entergy didn't 4 own the plant at the time.                   That was 20 years ago.
interactions you had while you were still an employee 2
5                   MS. MENSAH:         Oh,       okay.       That     was       my 6 question.         I was trying to clarify the time frame that 7 this happened.             So you are saying that was                 20 years 8 ago?
of Entergy and you mentioned --
9                   MR. MULLIGAN:       1999,       yes. That was when I 10 was an employee,           a licensed operator.
3 MR.
11                   MS. MENSAH:       Okay.         And you made         several 12 statements,         I   thought.         I   wanted       to make     sure       I 13 understood that you have been --                     I guess you said they 14 come to you on issues regarding security now.                                 And I 15 was trying to clarify who is                 coming to you to consult.
MULLIGAN:
16 Are     you     consulting?         I   just       didn't     understand         the 17 context of your comment.
No, I wasn't.
18                   MR. MULLIGAN:         Well,       the example was           that 19 back       in   2001,   Vermont       Yankee       guards     met   me     up     in 20 Brattleboro and made appointments to meet me and they 21 talked about           the troubles         they were       having.         And     I 22 mean, Entergy didn't own the security firm at the time 23 and stuff.         You know,       they weren't         --   Wait a minute, 24 1991.         Right. So Entergy wasn't involved in                   it.
Entergy didn't 4
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That was 20 years ago.
5 MS.
MENSAH:
Oh, okay.
That was my 6
question.
I was trying to clarify the time frame that 7
this happened.
So you are saying that was 20 years 8
ago?
9 MR.
MULLIGAN:
1999, yes.
That was when I 10 was an employee, a licensed operator.
11 MS.
MENSAH:
Okay.
And you made several 12 statements, I
thought.
I wanted to make sure I
13 understood that you have been --
I guess you said they 14 come to you on issues regarding security now.
And I 15 was trying to clarify who is coming to you to consult.
16 Are you consulting?
I just didn't understand the 17 context of your comment.
18 MR.
MULLIGAN:
: Well, the example was that 19 back in
: 2001, Vermont Yankee guards met me up in 20 Brattleboro and made appointments to meet me and they 21 talked about the troubles they were having.
And I 22 mean, Entergy didn't own the security firm at the time 23 and stuff.
You know, they weren't --
Wait a minute, 24 1991.
Right.
So Entergy wasn't involved in it.
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21 1 about,       you know,       poor working conditions,               not enough 2 pay,     and certain aspects of security in                     general       and 3 stuff like that.               And then I went around,               I think I 4 wrote a letter           to the NRC.           I certainly talked to a 5 lot of state people.
21 1
6                 Does that answer your question?
about, you know, poor working conditions, not enough 2
7                 MS. MENSAH:       Yes,   it does.       Thank you.
pay, and certain aspects of security in general and 3
8                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:           Seeing no more questions in 9 Headquarters,         does the Region have any questions?
stuff like that.
10                 MR. SETZER:       No questions         in   the   Region.
And then I went around, I think I 4
11 Thank you.
wrote a letter to the NRC.
12                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:           Okay.     Before I conclude the 13 meeting,       members of the public may provide comments 14 regarding       the petition           and ask questions             about       the 15 2.206       petition process.             However,       as   stated at the 16 opening, the purpose of this meeting is                       to not provide 17 an opportunity for               the petitioner         or the public           to 18 question       or     examine       the       Petition       Review       Board 19 regarding the merits of the petition request.
I certainly talked to a 5
20                 No     members       of     the     public       identified 21 themselves       initially.         Are there any members of the 22 public that are on the phone now that wish to comment?
lot of state people.
23                 (Pause.)
6 Does that answer your question?
24                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:             Does the licensee have any 25 comments?
7 MS.
MENSAH:
: Yes, it does.
Thank you.
8 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Seeing no more questions in 9
Headquarters, does the Region have any questions?
10 MR.
SETZER:
No questions in the Region.
11 Thank you.
12 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Okay.
Before I conclude the 13
: meeting, members of the public may provide comments 14 regarding the petition and ask questions about the 15 2.206 petition process.
: However, as stated at the 16 opening, the purpose of this meeting is to not provide 17 an opportunity for the petitioner or the public to 18 question or examine the Petition Review Board 19 regarding the merits of the petition request.
20 No members of the public identified 21 themselves initially.
Are there any members of the 22 public that are on the phone now that wish to comment?
23 (Pause.)
24 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Does the licensee have any 25 comments?
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22 1                 MR. DEVINCENTIS:         Entergy has no comments.
22 1
2                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:       Mr. Mulligan,     thank you for 3 taking time to provide the NRC Staff with clarifying 4   information on the petition you've submitted.
MR.
5                 Before   we   close,     does     the   court     reporter 6 need       any additional     information         for   the     meeting 7 transcript?
DEVINCENTIS:
8                 COURT REPORTER:         Mr. Chairman,       there were 9 just a couple names that I had questions about.                             The 10   spelling of Jim,       I think it       was,     Devincentis.
Entergy has no comments.
11                 MR. DEVINCENTIS:               Yes,     this     is       Jim 12 Devincentis.       The last     name is     D,   as in David,       E-V,       as 13   in   Victor,   I-N-C-E-N-T-I-S.
2 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
14                 COURT REPORTER:         Thank you.         Mr. Chairman, 15 you also mentioned           the name     it   sounded   like Bonnie 16 Smitzler.
Mr. Mulligan, thank you for 3
17                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:       Schnetzler, and I will spell 18 that out for you.           S-C-H-N-E-T-Z-L-E-R.
taking time to provide the NRC Staff with clarifying 4
19                 COURT REPORTER:         Okay,     thank you.         That's 20 all.
information on the petition you've submitted.
21                 CHAIRMAN QUAY:       Okay,   thank you.       With that, 22 this meeting is       concluded and we will be terminating 23 the phone connection.             Thank you.
5 Before we close, does the court reporter 6
24                 (Whereupon,     at   10:30     a.m.,   the   foregoing 25                 conference     call was adjourned.)
need any additional information for the meeting 7
transcript?
8 COURT REPORTER:
Mr.
: Chairman, there were 9
just a couple names that I had questions about.
The 10 spelling of Jim, I think it was, Devincentis.
11 MR.
DEVINCENTIS:
: Yes, this is Jim 12 Devincentis.
The last name is D, as in David, E-V, as 13 in Victor, I-N-C-E-N-T-I-S.
14 COURT REPORTER:
Thank you.
Mr.
: Chairman, 15 you also mentioned the name it sounded like Bonnie 16 Smitzler.
17 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Schnetzler, and I will spell 18 that out for you.
S-C-H-N-E-T-Z-L-E-R.
19 COURT REPORTER:
: Okay, thank you.
That's 20 all.
21 CHAIRMAN QUAY:
Okay, thank you.
With that, 22 this meeting is concluded and we will be terminating 23 the phone connection.
Thank you.
24 (Whereupon, at 10:30 a.m.,
the foregoing 25 conference call was adjourned.)
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CERTIFICATE This is   to certify that the attached proceedings before the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in     the matter of:                 Vermont Yankee Name of Proceeding:           10 CFR 2.206 Petition of:
CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the attached proceedings before the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the matter of:
Michael Mulligan Docket Number:               (n/a)
Vermont Yankee Name of Proceeding:
Location:                   Telephone Conference were       held as   herein     appears,     and that   this   is     the original transcript thereof for the file                 of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission taken by me and, thereafter reduced to typewriting by me or under the direction of the court reporting company,                 and that the transcript       is   a   true   and     accurate   record   of     the foregoing proceedings.
10 CFR 2.206 Petition of:
Eric Mollet Official Reporter Neal R. Gross & Co.,       Inc.
Michael Mulligan Docket Number:
(n/a)
Location:
Telephone Conference were held as herein appears, and that this is the original transcript thereof for the file of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission taken by me and, thereafter reduced to typewriting by me or under the direction of the court reporting company, and that the transcript is a true and accurate record of the foregoing proceedings.
Eric Mollet Official Reporter Neal R. Gross & Co.,
Inc.
NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.
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(202) 234-4433 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3701 www.nealrgross.com}}

Latest revision as of 23:28, 13 January 2025

Transcript of 10 CFR 2.206 Petition Re Vermont Yankee. Pages 1 - 22
ML110730373
Person / Time
Site: Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date: 03/08/2011
From: Mulligan M
- No Known Affiliation
To:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NRC-771
Download: ML110730373 (1)


Text

Official Transcript of Proceedings NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Title:

10 CFR 2.206 Petition RE Vermont Yankee Docket Number:

(n/a)

Location:

(telephone conference)

Date:

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Work Order No.:

NRC-771 Pages 1-22 IORIGINAL NEAL R. GROSS AND CO., INC.

Court Reporters and Transcribers 1323 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 234-4433

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10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 10 CFR 2.206 PETITION REVIEW BOARD (PRB)

CONFERENCE CALL RE VERMONT YANKEE TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2011 The conference call was held, Theodore

Quay, Chairman of the Petition Review
Board, presiding.

PETITIONER: MICHAEL MULLIGAN PETITION REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS:

THEODORE

QUAY, Deputy Director, Division of Policy and Rulemaking, NRR JAMES KIM, Petition Manager for 2.206 Petition TANYA MENSAH, Petition Coordinator NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NRC HEADQUARTERS STAFF:

STACEY L.

ROSENBERG, Branch

Chief, Generic Communications & Power Uprate NANCY
SALGADO, Branch
Chief, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR BONNIE SCHNETZLER, Reactor Security Rulemaking and Licensing Branch, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response NRC REGION I STAFF:

THOMAS

SETZER, Division of Reactor Projects ALSO PRESENT:

JIM DEVINCENTIS, Entergy Nuclear Operations NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Welcome and Introductions James Kim.........................

Opening Remarks Ted Quay..........................

Petitioner's Presentation Michael Mulligan..................

Question and Answer Session............

Closing Remarks Ted Quay..........................

Adjourn.................................

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P RO C E E D I NG S 2

(10:02 a.m.)

3 MR.

KIM:

Good morning.

I would like to 4

thank everyone for attending this meeting.

My name is 5

James Kim and I am the Vermont Yankee Project Manager.

6 We are here today to allow the Petition, 7

Mr.

Michael Mulligan to address the Petition Review 8

Board regarding 2.206 Petition dated February 24, 9

2011.

10 I

am the Petition Manager for the 11 Petition.

The Petition Review Board Chairman is Ted 12 Quay.

13 As a part of the Petition Review Board's 14 review of this petition, Mr.

Michael Mulligan has 15 requested this opportunity to address the Petition 16 Review Board.

17 This meeting is scheduled from 10:00 to 18 11:00 AM.

The meeting is being recorded by the NRC 19 Operations Center and will be transcribed by a court 20 reporter.

The transcript will become a supplement to 21 the petition.

The transcript will also be made 22 publicly available.

23 I would like to open this meeting with 24 introductions.

As we go around the room, please be 25 sure to clearly state your name, your position, and NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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the office that you work for within the NRC for the record.

I'll start off.

This is James Kim.

I am a project manager for the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing in NRR.

MS.

MENSAH:

Tanya

Mensah, the 2.206 Coordinator, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.

MS.

ROSENBERG:

Stacey Rosenberg, Branch Chief of Generic Communications and Power Uprates, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.

CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Ted Quay, Deputy Director of Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

MR.

KIM:

At this time, are there any NRC participants from the Headquarters on the phone?

MS.

SALGADO:

This is Nancy Salgado.

I am a Branch Chief in the Division of Operator Reactor Licensing NRR.

from the Setzer.

for the for the MR.

KIM:

Are there any NRC participants Regional Office on the phone?

MR.

SETZER:

Yes, hello.

This is Thomas I am a Senior Project Engineer in Region I Division of Reactor Projects.

MR.

KIM:

Are there any representatives licensee on the phone?

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MR.

DEVINCENTIS:

Yes, this is Jim 2

Devincentis of Entergy Nuclear Operations.

3 MR.

KIM:

Mr. Mulligan, would you please 4

introduce yourself for the record?

5 MR.

MULLIGAN:

I'm Mike Mulligan and I am 6

a whistle blower, and I have worked in the industry in 7

the past.

8 MR.

KIM:

Thank you.

It is not required 9

for the members of the public to introduce themselves 10 for this call.

However, if there are any members of 11 the public on the phone that wish to do so at this 12 time, please state your name for the record.

13 (No response.)

14 MR.

KIM:

Hearing none, I would like to 15 emphasize that we each need to speak clearly and 16 loudly to make sure that the court reporter can 17 accurately transcribe this meeting.

If you do have 18 something that you would like to say, please first 19 state your name for the record.

20 For those dialing into the meeting, please 21 remember to mute your phones to minimize any 22 background noise or distractions.

If you do not have 23 a mute button, this can be done by pressing the keys 24

  • 6.

To un-mute press the *6 keys again.

Thank you.

25 At this time, I'll turn it over to the PRB NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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Chairman, Ted Quay.

2 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Good morning.

Welcome to 3

this meeting regarding the 2.206 petition submitted by 4

Mr. Mulligan.

5 I'd like to first share some background on 6

our process.

Section 2.206 of Title 10 of the Code of 7

Federal Regulations describes the petition process, 8

the primary mechanism for the public to request 9

enforcement action by the NRC in a public process.

10 This process permits anyone to petition the NRC to 11 take enforcement-type action related to NRC licensees 12 or licensed activities.

13 Depending on the results of its 14 evaluation, NRC could modify, suspend, or revoke an 15 NRC-issued license or take any other appropriate 16 enforcement action to resolve a problem.

The NRC 17 staff's guidance for the disposition of 2.206 petition 18 requests is in Management Directive 8.11, which is 19 publicly available.

20 The purpose of today's meeting is to give 21 the petitioner an opportunity to provide any 22 additional explanation or support for the petition 23 before the Petition Review Board's initial 24 consideration and recommendation.

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opportunity for the petitioner to question or examine 2

the PRB on the merits or the issues presented in the 3

petition request.

4 No decisions regarding the merits of this 5

petition will be made at this meeting.

6 Following this meeting, the Petition Review 7

Board will conduct its internal deliberations.

The 8

outcome of this internal meeting will be discussed 9

with the petitioner.

10 The Petition Review Board typically consists 11 of a

Chairman, usually a manager at the senior 12 executive service level at the NRC.

It has a Petition 13 Manager and a Petition Review Board Coordinator.

14 Other members of the Board are determined by the NRC 15 staff based on the content of the information in the 16 petition request.

17 At this time, I would like to introduce the 18 Board.

I am Ted Quay, the Petition Review Board 19 Chairman.

James Kim is the Petition Manager for the 20 petition under discussion today.

Tanya Mensah is the 21 office's Petition Review Board Coordinator.

22 Our technical staff includes Bonnie 23 Schnetzler from the Reactor Security Rulemaking and 24 Licensing Branch in the Office of Nuclear Security and 25 Incident Response and Thomas Setzer from NRC's Region NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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I Division of Reactor Projects.

2 As described in our process, the NRC staff 3

may ask clarifying questions in order to better 4

understand the petitioner's presentation and to reach 5

a reasoned decision whether to accept or reject the 6

petitioner's requests for review under the 2.206 7

process.

8 I would like to summarize the scope of the 9

petition under consideration and the NRC activities to 10 date.

11 On February 24, 2011, Mr. Mulligan submitted 12 to the NRC a petition under 2.206 concerning the 13 Entergy's release of a public relations video, which 14 Mr.

Mulligan believes releases security-related 15 information of the plant to the nation and beyond.

16 In this petition, Mr.

Mulligan requested 17 emergency shutdown of Vermont Yankee because you 18 stated that the Brattleboro Reformer released a video 19 which was provided by Entergy from their website 20 detailing the Vermont Yankee control room and vital 21 security-related information throughout the plant.

22 You believe that the video provided visual 23 cues to possible terrorists, including the location of 24 all ECCS controls and other details which should not 25 be made known to the public.

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Allow me to discuss the NRC activities to 2

date.

On March 3, 2011, you requested to address the 3

Petition Review Board to provide supplemental 4

information for the Board's consideration prior to 5

Petition Review Board's internal meeting to make an 6

initial recommendation.

7 On March 3, 2011, the PRB met internally to 8

discuss the request for immediate action.

The PRB 9

denied the request for immediate action because there 10 was no immediate safety concern to the plant, or to 11 the health and safety of the public.

In addition, 12 there was no release of anything sensitive or 13 security-related.

The PRB concluded that the video 14 had been edited and controlled by Entergy for security 15 purposes.

16 On March 3, 2011, you were informed of the 17 PRB's decisions on the immediate action.

18 As a reminder for the phone participants, 19 please identify yourself if you make any remarks, as 20 this will help in the preparation of the meeting 21 transcript that will be made publicly available.

22 Thank you.

23 And at this point, Mr. Mulligan, I'm going 24 to turn it over to you.

25 MR.

MULLIGAN:

I can remember when I was an NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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employee working at Vermont Yankee and I was getting 2

fired, I was in the process of getting fired.

I had 3

six whistle blower suits pending and it was pretty 4

bleak.

5 And one day it was actually I

am being 6

followed around the plant by this security official, 7

the on-shift supervisor.

And I am really afraid that 8

this guy is following me around.

And I am saying well 9

I am going to get fired tomorrow.

They want to make 10 sure that I don't do anything crazy and stuff like 11 that.

12 So he is following me around the plant and 13 you know, I am going in and out.

And I am watching 14 this guy and he is quite a distance away from me.

And 15 I can see his face; it is all nervous and tense.

And 16 so you know, my heart is

racing, beating, almost 17 coming out of my chest I am so scared.

18 And so finally I say to myself, you know 19

what, I am sick and tired of this.

And I said, I am 20 just going to turn around.

I am going to talk to the 21 guy and it doesn't matter what happens.

I am just 22 going to figure out what is going on and make myself 23 comfortable.

24 So I turned around and I go up to him.

And 25 certainly his face is really tense and stuff.

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said, "What is going on here?"

And so then he starts.

2 And so I talk about the weather and I get a little 3

comfortable.

And basically, he says I've got 4

something to tell you, Mike, and you can do with this 5

information anything you want.

6 And he goes on and talks to me about 7

security problems they were having with the fence 8

motion detector and how they are having troubles with 9

the cameras and stuff.

And he reminds me that Gate 1, 10 the security gate, the main security gate, is all old 11 and decrepit and all the equipment is not working.

12 And he is just disgusted with the place and stuff.

13 And so you know, I didn't know what to do.

14 I didn't know if it was a setup or what have you.

15 What do you do with something like that?

Why does 16 somebody come up to you in a plant?

Especially this 17 is the senior security guy on shift and wants me to 18 handle his problems and stuff like that.

19 So anyways I think about it and I think that 20 T am going to disclose security events to outside 21 people and stuff like that.

You know, am I going to 22 get in trouble and stuff.

And basically I wrote a 23 letter up to my lawyer and I detailed, and we had a 24 phone call discussion and stuff.

I told him what was 25 going on.

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And within a couple of days, they had a 2

security team down at Vermont Yankee.

They found 3

everything that I said as accurate.

They also within 4

a short period went into a construction phase and they 5

rebuilt the main security gate, the Gate number one, 6

the main security gate and stuff like that.

So in 7

essence, they repaired all the sensor motion detectors 8

and all that sort of stuff.

9 And that essentially, you know, set me up as 10 somebody that could be talked to with Vermont Yankee 11 security issues.

And I always felt very uncomfortable 12 with the whole deal and stuff like that with this.

13 And we had issues to the lead up to 9/11.

14 I was involved with security employees and talking and 15 stuff like that.

I was talking to the state and all 16 this sort of stuff.

17 Of course, two weeks before 9/11, Vermont 18 Yankee failed its security exam and to a large part, 19 the NRC, I suspect, and state officials, I suspect, 20 were aware of my concerns or aware of the security 21 employees' concerns.

And once 9/11 happened of 22 course, then --

Well before that they failed their 23 exam within weeks, within a week or two and stuff.

24 And then after 9/11 it came out that they failed the 25 exam.

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And well you know, then there was a pretty 2

good recovery.

Then everybody took it serious and a 3

lot of things were done and stuff.

4 And so that has always been the issue.

You 5

know?

It is not security-related issues.

You know, 6

I have had a footprint over -- People say I shaped the 7

security stance at Vermont Yankee over a number of 8

years because of my relationship with employees and 9

what have you.

Probably the only place in the United 10 States.

11 But always the issue always has been with 12 security-related issues.

What is doing good and what 13 is doing bad.

You know, everything has, you know, 14 every tool you have you can use it in a good manner or 15 you can use it in a bad manner.

You can use it to 16 hide things or you can use that same tool to open up 17 the world for everybody and let them see what is going 18 on.

And then everything starts to repair itself and 19 stuff.

That has always been the issue with Vermont 20 Yankee security.

21 And a

lot of times you get in these 22 officials and 9/11 certainly shows you that.

A lot of 23 times they get into the protective mode and they put 24 everything under secrecy, being secret and it is not 25 to protect us.

It is to protect themselves.

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protect the NRC, for the officials to protect their 2

own jobs and stuff like that.

It has nothing to do 3

with protecting the community and stuff.

And over 20 4

years, I have seen that.

I have seen a lot of these 5

issues where people are protecting themselves.

6 Last year, or two years ago, you know, I was 7

involved in some stuff with Vermont Yankee and the 8

next thing you know, I get two FBI guys at my house.

9 Well, they gave me a call and I was down to the police 10 station talking about what I know and stuff.

And you 11 know that whole issue with Vermont Yankee doing their 12 training down in Massachusetts and stuff and bothering 13 people with their guns.

You know, the whole thing and 14 stuff like that.

I mean, that is what it was about.

15 So again, it is the issue of what is doing 16 good.

Is secrecy?

You know, do you allow a set of 17 officials to define what security-related matter is?

18 And how do you know what interest they are pushing?

19 You know, is it their own interest or is it the 20 community's interest?

How do you know?

21 As far as the secrecy-related issues, are 22 they hiding something?

You know, are they using 23 national security or terrorism-related events to hide 24 their sins?

You know, well the terrorists are coming 25 and we have got to hide everything.

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have got to put everything under a security shield and 2

then nobody gets to see what is going on until 3

something big happens.

And that is what you worry 4

about.

These things are security can --

or secrecy 5

and security-related health interests could end up 6

pushing it into a deeper problem and protecting you 7

from terrorists.

8 This transparency and secrecy, you know, it 9

is a two-edged sword, a two-edged sword and stuff.

10 And you know, I trust the community people. I mean, we 11 are tired of being treated as terrorists first.

You 12 know we question Vermont Yankee's security.

We 13 question, talk to the NRC about it, and stuff like 14 that.

And the first thing, you know, people don't 15 want to talk about it.

They assume you are a

16 terrorist.

They assume that people around Vermont 17 Yankee are the terrorists and they tend to hide their 18 faults and sins so that the terrorists can take 19 advantage of the situation.

20 So that I mean, I am just trying to give 21 people some background here on where we stand.

22 You know, the big problem I have is with the 23 door, I mean, the control room door and around that.

24 I mean, that plays no role whatsoever with the film.

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as a typical public relation ploy but the door was the 2

thing that bothered me the most and nobody --

I mean, 3

the big deal with this was that the door wasn't, Mr.

4 Quay didn't talk about the door being --

5 You see the size of the door, the thickness, 6

the mechanism in the background.

You know, you get a 7

lot of details, security details out of that.

And I 8

don't think that was appropriate to show to the public 9

or anybody else.

10 Also we noticed that all

fuel, the spent 11 fuel pad out there, you showed inside the pad.

You 12 know, you have got a wooden fence around it.

What is 13 the wooden fence for?

Is it security-related so 14 people don't have any visual cues of what is inside 15 there?

That is what this seems to be.

Or maybe you 16 don't want people taking pictures from a distance of 17 those pads.

I don't know.

18 It looks to me as though that wooden fence 19 around the pad is security-related.

You don't want 20 anybody to really have any cues of what is behind 21 there and it makes sense to me.

And then you go 22 inside there with a camera and you show everything?

23 It just doesn't, the whole thing doesn't make sense.

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Vermont Yankee looking at everything.

The next thing, 2

they are showing a video of basically the same thing.

3 It doesn't make sense, as far as what is to be shown 4

and what not to be shown.

5 And so the door is one and the pad is the 6

other that I have issues with.

And it is the general 7

idea that how do we trust.

If everything is secret 8

from the community, how do we trust the government and 9

Entergy to do the bidding of our interests?

How do we 10 do that?

I

mean, if everything is secret about 11 security and very little public knowledge of what is 12 going on, how do we trust the system to act in our 13 interest?

You can't.

There is just no way you could.

14 From all this stuff over 20 years, you can't 15 trust people really doing things behind our backs and 16 expecting them to act in our interests.

The only way 17 it really works is that the public is involved and if 18 they can see shortcomings and criticize what is going 19 on and stuff like that, and see what is going on and 20 participate.

21 You know it is a tradeoff.

It is a tradeoff 22 on both ways.

Just pure security and secrecy doesn't 23 work and stuff.

It really doesn't.

24 And so I mean, that is the problem we have 25 in general with security at the nuclear plants here.

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Security --

2 I mean, how does the public verify that all 3

this stuff is being done in our interests?

How do we 4

know that you aren't using rules to hide things 5

instead of fix things and stuff?

6 I mean and the industry has had a history 7

with that; sleeping guards and all sorts of stuff in 8

the past and stuff.

And so the question is, you know, 9

what is the proper role of the public involvement and 10 what they can see and how do they protect themselves?

11 And I think that is what a lot of this issue is about.

12 And we don't think that the community being assumed to 13 being terrorists first is something we can live with.

14 And thank you very much for this opportunity 15 to talk to you.

16 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Okay.

At this time, does 17 the Staff here at Headquarters have any questions for 18 Mr. Mulligan?

19 MS.

MENSAH:

Mr.

Mulligan, this is Tanya 20 Mensah.

I am the 2.206 Coordinator.

And I just had 21 a couple of questions for my clarification, if you 22 don't mind.

23 MR.

MULLIGAN:

Sure.

24 MS.

MENSAH:

The first one was when we first 25

opened, you were talking about some of the NEAL R. GROSS COURT REPORTERS AND TRANSCRIBERS 1323 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W.

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interactions you had while you were still an employee 2

of Entergy and you mentioned --

3 MR.

MULLIGAN:

No, I wasn't.

Entergy didn't 4

own the plant at the time.

That was 20 years ago.

5 MS.

MENSAH:

Oh, okay.

That was my 6

question.

I was trying to clarify the time frame that 7

this happened.

So you are saying that was 20 years 8

ago?

9 MR.

MULLIGAN:

1999, yes.

That was when I 10 was an employee, a licensed operator.

11 MS.

MENSAH:

Okay.

And you made several 12 statements, I

thought.

I wanted to make sure I

13 understood that you have been --

I guess you said they 14 come to you on issues regarding security now.

And I 15 was trying to clarify who is coming to you to consult.

16 Are you consulting?

I just didn't understand the 17 context of your comment.

18 MR.

MULLIGAN:

Well, the example was that 19 back in
2001, Vermont Yankee guards met me up in 20 Brattleboro and made appointments to meet me and they 21 talked about the troubles they were having.

And I 22 mean, Entergy didn't own the security firm at the time 23 and stuff.

You know, they weren't --

Wait a minute, 24 1991.

Right.

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about, you know, poor working conditions, not enough 2

pay, and certain aspects of security in general and 3

stuff like that.

And then I went around, I think I 4

wrote a letter to the NRC.

I certainly talked to a 5

lot of state people.

6 Does that answer your question?

7 MS.

MENSAH:

Yes, it does.

Thank you.

8 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Seeing no more questions in 9

Headquarters, does the Region have any questions?

10 MR.

SETZER:

No questions in the Region.

11 Thank you.

12 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Okay.

Before I conclude the 13

meeting, members of the public may provide comments 14 regarding the petition and ask questions about the 15 2.206 petition process.
However, as stated at the 16 opening, the purpose of this meeting is to not provide 17 an opportunity for the petitioner or the public to 18 question or examine the Petition Review Board 19 regarding the merits of the petition request.

20 No members of the public identified 21 themselves initially.

Are there any members of the 22 public that are on the phone now that wish to comment?

23 (Pause.)

24 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Does the licensee have any 25 comments?

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MR.

DEVINCENTIS:

Entergy has no comments.

2 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Mr. Mulligan, thank you for 3

taking time to provide the NRC Staff with clarifying 4

information on the petition you've submitted.

5 Before we close, does the court reporter 6

need any additional information for the meeting 7

transcript?

8 COURT REPORTER:

Mr.

Chairman, there were 9

just a couple names that I had questions about.

The 10 spelling of Jim, I think it was, Devincentis.

11 MR.

DEVINCENTIS:

Yes, this is Jim 12 Devincentis.

The last name is D, as in David, E-V, as 13 in Victor, I-N-C-E-N-T-I-S.

14 COURT REPORTER:

Thank you.

Mr.

Chairman, 15 you also mentioned the name it sounded like Bonnie 16 Smitzler.

17 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Schnetzler, and I will spell 18 that out for you.

S-C-H-N-E-T-Z-L-E-R.

19 COURT REPORTER:

Okay, thank you.

That's 20 all.

21 CHAIRMAN QUAY:

Okay, thank you.

With that, 22 this meeting is concluded and we will be terminating 23 the phone connection.

Thank you.

24 (Whereupon, at 10:30 a.m.,

the foregoing 25 conference call was adjourned.)

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CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the attached proceedings before the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the matter of:

Vermont Yankee Name of Proceeding:

10 CFR 2.206 Petition of:

Michael Mulligan Docket Number:

(n/a)

Location:

Telephone Conference were held as herein appears, and that this is the original transcript thereof for the file of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission taken by me and, thereafter reduced to typewriting by me or under the direction of the court reporting company, and that the transcript is a true and accurate record of the foregoing proceedings.

Eric Mollet Official Reporter Neal R. Gross & Co.,

Inc.

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