Initiatives
Safety
One major concern of any operations manager is overall
safety in process. Power generation
comes with inherent risks that need be
addressed, especially with nuclear power. Progress Energy has always insured
the safety of its employees and communities through safety regulations and
standards. However, new safety
initiatives have been even more essential since
the events of 9-11.
To protect against accidents, each nuclear power generation
plant is equipped with an outer containment wall of 3.5-6 feet of reinforced
concrete and a reactor vessel made of 9-12 inches of steel. In addition, each
plant has multiple, independent shutdown and backup systems. These measures
were already in place before 9-11.
Progress Energy’s nuclear plants have always been guarded 24
hours a day by “heavily armed, well-trained security personnel,” but due to
increased fear of terrorist acts, heightened security has become a necessity.
Due to federal law, the majority of the changes cannot be disclosed. However,
it can be said that each plant has physical barriers, armed security forces
using electronic surveillance, and locked access vaults to protect delicate
information.
One major security change is increased coordination with the
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) which includes new security drills such as
mock terrorist attacks. The NRC also updates each plant on terrorism threats
through the help of the national intelligence community. By continually testing
and upgrading these security measures, Progress Energy hopes to avoid any
unfortunate events and continue its history of safety for its employees and
neighbors.
Environmentalism
Additional initiatives include those of the environmental
kind. According to Progress Energy’s website, “Progress Energy cares about the
Environment we live in. We are committed to staying on top of technological
breakthroughs that serve to benefit both you and the environment.” Their entire
environmental policy may be viewed at: http://www.progress-energy.com/environment/policy/index.asp
One way that Progress Energy tends to environmentalist
concerns is the production of “synfuels” (synthetic fuels) for sale on the
energy market. These fuels are made from modified coal, reduce harmful
emissions into the atmosphere, and allow companies using them to qualify for
tax reductions from the IRS. While Progress Energy does not actually use these
fuels, they make them available for other companies to use them.
PE is also involved with the North Carolina GreenPower
Program which allows customers to choose to donate money to the advancement of
renewable energy production processes. By law, the electricity taken off of the
VACAR grid by customers who pay the Green Power premiums must be replaced by an
equal amount of electricity produced by environmentally sustainable methods,
such as wind, solar, and biomass. NC GreenPower is a non-profit organization
founded in 1980 and exists due to the cooperation of electricity generators,
environmentalists, and legislators as well as consumers.