Columbia Generating Station names new senior resident inspector

Greg Kolcum
Greg Kolcum | Courtesy of the NRC

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said on Tuesday that Greg Kolcum will serve as the senior resident inspector at the Columbia Generating Station in Richland, Washington.

Kolcum has worked with the NRC since 2007 and has served as a reactor engineer, a resident inspector for the Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant, near Southport, North Carolina, and, most recently, as the senior resident inspector at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia. Prior to joining the NRC, Kolcum served as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer with the U.S. Navy and worked in the commercial and defense electronics industry.

“Greg Kolcum’s technical experience and regulatory perspective will assist the NRC in carrying out its mission of protecting people and the environment, and ensuring the safe operation of the Columbia Generating Station,” NRC Region IV Administrator Marc Dapas said.

All nuclear reactor plants and facilities are assigned a minimum of two resident inspectors from the NRC. Resident inspectors are responsible for carrying out NRC inspection and evaluation activities, as well as monitoring projects and other issues at their assigned plant. Inspectors also serve as liaisons between the NRC, the nuclear plant and the general public.

Kolcum will serve with current Resident Inspector Dan Bradley.

The Columbia Generating Station currently has one nuclear reactor in operation with a generating capacity of 1,190 megawatts of electricity.