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Fermi Nuclear Reactor Operator Fails Drug Test

FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP (AP) - A Fermi 2 reactor operator failed a random drug test and has been barred from the southeastern Michigan nuclear power plant.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the operator's access to the Monroe County plant is suspended for at least 14 days under federal rules for nuclear plants.

NRC spokeswoman Viktoria Mitlyng tells The Monroe Evening News for a story Tuesday that during the two-week period, plant operator DTE Energy will decide whether to fire the employee or refer him to a program for substance abuse treatment and evaluation.

Federal rules require nuclear plant workers to be tested randomly to determine if they've been using alcohol or drugs.

A reactor employee who fails a drug test twice will have access to any nuclear plant revoked for at least five years.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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