Leaked memo describes fears of nuclear whistleblower retaliation at San Onofre, bolstering complaints by KMB clients Mike Mason and Rick Busnardo

February 20, 2010

Online articles published by the North County Times and the Ocean County Register detail ongoing problems at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (“SONGS”).

According to the articles, published February 19, 2010, an internal SONGS memo showed that a quarter of SONGS employees fear retaliation for raising nuclear safety concerns.  The memo also notes that despite this fear, the number of employee allegations of nuclear safety violations at SONGS was six times the median industry average in 2008 and 10 times the median average in 2009.  As noted in the Ocean City Register article, the memo “seems to bolster allegations, made in recent months, of widespread fear of retaliation among employees.”

In November 2009, Rick Busnardo and Mike Mason filed nuclear whistleblower complaints against Southern California Edison, which owns and operates SONGS.  The men alleged that they were retaliated against after voicing safety concerns about the welding process used on casks to store spent nuclear rods.  KMB partner David J. Marshall and counsel Daniel B. Edelman of the firm represent Mr. Busnardo and Mr. Mason.  In an email referenced in the North County Times, David Marshall stated that the leaked memo strongly supports the claims made by both whistleblowers.

Related Links