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. The lapse heightened risks that essential electrical power could fail during unlikely accidents, NRC spokesman Scott Burnell told The State.

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. Dominion acknowledged the findings but insisted no public danger occurred, as troubleshooting restored the equipment. 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.

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. South Carolina ratepayers continue footing the bill through higher electric rates years later. NRC scrutiny persists, with possible enforcement action under review as of recent reports.