Patrick O’Brien and members of his team at Holtec Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts, were digging through the plant’s warehouse in search of any stockpiled materials that might aid those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. After some time, the team struck gold when they uncovered more than 2,000 face masks and 14,000 nitrile examination gloves.
“A large number of our team members have friends and family in the medical industry, including my mom who is a nurse,” O’Brien explained. “With the plant beginning decommissioning, the needs for what we have stored on-site have changed and we wanted to make available what we could.”
A group of employees from Holtec Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station prepare donations of masks and gloves to be delivered to a local hospital.
As COVID-19 has spread throughout the U.S. and the world over the past several weeks, health care workers are reporting dire shortages of these items in hospitals and health centers, inspiring many to organize donations of supplies or even turn to sewing respiratory face masks at home.
After ensuring that Pilgrim already had adequate supplies to protect their employees, Holtec and Comprehensive Decommissioning International—where O’Brien is communications and government affairs manager—made the donation of masks and examination gloves to the community’s local hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
At a time when so many people are in need, companies across all sectors—including nuclear energy—are taking actions to lessen the impact. While individual plants like Pilgrim are donating on a smaller scale, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), which operates Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California, has donated nearly 1 million surgical and N95 masks to the state’s hospitals and first responders. Additionally, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., which operates the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear power plants in New Jersey, has evaluated their inventory and is donating more than 50,000 N95 masks to the state’s health care system.
PSEG donated 50,000 N95 masks to health care workers and first responders to support COVID-19 relief efforts.
Many other nuclear companies are also finding ways to contribute. Dominion Energy, which operates four nuclear plants in Virginia, South Carolina and Connecticut, recently committed $1 million to coronavirus relief efforts, with funds going to national organizations like the American Red Cross as well as local organizations.
Giving blood to help with the #RedCross blood donation shortage! @DominionEnergy has committed $250,000 to the @RedCross for #Covid_19 relief efforts @redcrossbaltdc @ReginaNewsPro pic.twitter.com/8C79CiwGwR
— Peggy Fox (@PeggyDomEnergy) March 19, 2020
America’s 96 nuclear power plants are part of our nation’s critical infrastructure and provide reliable electricity to 75 million homes. Making carbon-free electricity is an important way for the industry to serve its communities during the pandemic, but that’s not the only way they’re doing so.
“Much like nuclear plays an important role in maintaining energy diversity and independence for our nation, I think nuclear can play a key role during these trying times," said O’Brien. “We are an industry that plans, prepares and practices for all types of scenarios, and in doing such we take our role in protecting others very seriously.”
Looking for ways to donate to those in need, too? Check out the World Health Organization’s Solidarity Response Fund and the Washington Post’s guide on how you can help during the pandemic.
Updated 4/6 to include PG&E’s donation.
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