Connecticut Coalition Against Millstone Comments on the DEEP Commissioner's Selection of Director of Radiation

Waterford, CT, August 04, 2014 --(PR.com)-- A longtime worker at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station is the new head of radiation protection for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Coalition Against Millstone announced today. Jeffrey Semancik, former director of nuclear engineering at Millstone, is DEEP’s Director of Radiation, according to a DEEP announcement issued on June 26, 2014. The appointment by DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee was criticized by Coalition Director Nancy Burton, a longtime anti-nuclear activist. “On its face, this appointment is woefully inappropriate,” she said.

“DEEP and its predecessor DEP have an appalling record of lackadaisical, hands-off attitude when it comes to Millstone,” Burton said. “This appointment confirms the concerns of many that DEEP is an industry puppet when it comes to Millstone.”

"In my opinion, the recent repeated failure of radiation monitoring equipment at Millstone Units 2 and 3 as necessitating the appointment of a radiation director who is unquestionably independent and free of industry influence. Mr. Semancik, no matter how hard he tries, will have zero credibility with the public when radiation releases are at issue," Burton said.

Semancik studied at the U.S. Naval Academy before becoming Millstone operations manager in 2009, according to the DEEP announcement.