Fairfield's V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant's Safety Gear Failed for Years, Feds Warn

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — If a nuclear incident had struck V.C. Summer Nuclear Station earlier this year, a key emergency diesel generator would have been unavailable, federal regulators confirmed. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a 'white' finding — its least severe violation category — against Dominion Energy after problems detected in January lingered for weeks before resolution.[1] The lapse heightened risks that essential electrical power could fail during unlikely accidents, NRC spokesman Scott Burnell told The State.[1] The generator issues stemmed from a pattern of cracks and leaks in the 40-year-old emergency system, traced back two decades, according to an NRC inspection this year.[2] Dominion acknowledged the findings but insisted no public danger occurred, as troubleshooting restored the equipment.[1] This marks the fifth white finding for V.C. Summer in 20 years, prompting NRC plans for extra inspections, year-end management reviews and potential training or modifications.[1] Located in rural Fairfield County, 25 miles northwest of Columbia, V.C. Summer has a fraught legacy. Construction of two new AP1000 reactors halted in July 2017 amid massive overruns, with partners Santee Cooper and SCE&G abandoning the $9 billion project after delays from vendor issues, fabrication flaws and a lack of nuclear expertise.[3][5] South Carolina ratepayers continue footing the bill through higher electric rates years later.[5] NRC scrutiny persists, with possible enforcement action under review as of recent reports.[2]