the great Zannoni

by: John C

Fri May 25, 2007 at 05:48:42 PM EDT

For the past 15 years Dennis Zannoni has been the top nuclear engineer at the NJDEP.  Now he has been reassigned to a cubicle without a phone or internet access.  It seems Zannoni questioned the expertise and objectivity of a panel assembled by the NRC to advise on the re-licensing application for the troubled Oyster Creek nuclear power plant.  During a break in the panel meeting, Zannoni remarked that half of the reviewers are nuclear industry executives.  A verbal complaint by an unnamed NRC staffer landed Zannoni in this internal exile...

While I'm not commenting on the Oyster Creek issue, this little anecdote seems to have two villains.  First, it's no surprise that the federal NRC defers to the regulated industry during Bushtime.  This brand of odious behavior has become "normal" during the past six years.  What is surprising, however, is NJDEP's treatment of Zannoni.  I expected something better under the leadership of Gov. Corzine and DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson.