VC Summer

[Rennhack]

Don't forget to vote.  Keep your comments civil.

[moodusjack]

I liked VC when I was there in 84'.  Good outage, good house folks and easy pace.  Was a little out of the way, and at that time, the bars closed Saturday at Midnight until Monday.  Argggg.

[UncaBuffalo]

VC Summer has a very laid-back attitude and the highest median quality of house people I have ever had the pleasure to work with, so SHOULD be an awesome plant to work, but...

1) The bean-counters are in control right now, so be prepared to get nickel/dimed to death.

and

2) They still haven't gotten a grip on how to do an outage quickly...general lack of job planning, work coordination, etc.

and

3) I had hoped they might have a "Mid-Atlantic" attitude like some of the other Carolina plants, but the area is definitely more "Deep South"...that may be either an advantage OR a disadvantage (depending on YOUR personal outlook), but something you should consider before you go.

[shehane]

good plant to work as a road tech.  they have some quirky rules but they treat you very good.  there are hints of the old days there during your "out" time.  kind of a long drive to the plant if you want to stay by anything but still had a good time.

[Camella Black]

If anyone has a favorite hang out, place to shop, or local information for this area please post it here.

[UncaBuffalo]

Congaree National Park is one of my Top Ten places in the whole world...bird-watch, hike, canoe, or just soak up the quiet...

[shehane]

baileys near the big mall was a pretty good place.  don

[Roll Tide]

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves License Extension for SCE&G's V.C. Summer Nuclear Station
Thursday April 29, 10:00 am ET


COLUMBIA, S.C., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), principal subsidiary of SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG - News), announced today that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the company's application for a 20-year license extension for its V.C. Summer Nuclear Station.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031204/SCANALOGO )
The new license, which SCE&G expects to receive next week, will allow the plant to operate through 2042. SCE&G applied for the new license in the fall of 2002.

"There are so many benefits that come with having the plant's license extended," Senior Vice President of Nuclear Operations Steve Byrne said. "It allows us to keep almost 700 megawatts of power on the grid. This delays the need for new plants on our system, and that means lower rates for our customers.

"Additionally, the plant provides nearly 750 jobs in the area and contributes millions of dollars annually to the Fairfield County tax base."

The V.C. Summer Nuclear Station began operation in 1982. SCE&G owns two- thirds of the plant's 1,000-megawatt capacity while the South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) owns the remaining third.

Summer Station represents approximately 14 percent of SCE&G's generating capacity. At full operation, the plant is capable of providing power to more than 650,000 homes.

SCE&G is the largest subsidiary of SCANA Corp., an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations, telecommunications and other energy-related businesses. Information about SCANA is available on the Company's web site at www.scana.com .

[shehane]

vc summer had to be the most anal retentive place i have ever worked.  that aside i think all the techs and supervisors there were pretty good to work with.

[RP Instructor]

From what I hear, The Columbiana Mall of I-26 in Columbia, is the place to shop, and has a number of nearby "chain" restaurants.
VC Summer is out in the middle of nowhere, so if you're looking for entertainment, you'll have to head south to Columbia (~ 45 minutes south of the plant)

[Al Eidson]

VC Summer is out in the sticks, but only 15 or 20 minutes to civilization. The new mall on I-26 has plenty of eating places and some pretty nice. Camping is available 13 miles from the plant at WoodSmoke Family Campground, but it fills up fast. Hope to see Henry there this spring. Al Eidson

[Showme T. Money]

HAD A GOOD TIME THERE, HAD SOME GREAT CARD GAMES.  THE CARD GAMES WERE BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE THERE.

[vikingfan]

Overall had a good time there. most of the people were easy to get along with. was kinda hard getting used to going to the can in scrubs, booties and gloves, but maybe i have been away from the comercial side way to long !! either way the drive to work from columbiana was tolerable.

[Rad Sponge]

Got a phone calll from a recruiter from SCEG inviting me up for an interview for a Chemistry Specialist opening.

Any insight to this company/position. She did not mention which plant.

R/ JMK

[jjordan]

The only nuke they own would be VC Summer. I've never been there but have worked with almost all of their HP's and they are awsome! I've never heard a negative comment about the plant either, which considering HP's, that's saying something.
JJ

[RP Instructor]

I've been employed by SCE&G here at VC Summer for a little over three years, and it's a great place to work. The folks are laid-back, friendly, easy-going (typical southern hospitality), and they get the work done with very little B.S. from management. SCE&G only owns one nuke (VC Summer), but will be building another unit, with a projected on-line date of 2015.
Summer is located ~1 hour northwest of Columbia, SC, on the shore of Lake Monticello. It is in the "middle-of-no-where", and most folks live around the Columbia area.
As for the company benefits, they're pretty good - no complaints.
The interview wil be a "targeted selection", where you are interviewed by a panel of existing chemistry department employees. The interview questions are developed by Human Resources, and hence are somewhat bizarre, having very little reference to your experience as a chemistry technician! Don't let that throw you. It may sound cliche, but just be yourself, and have a copy of your resume with you for reference.

[roni29229]

I recieved a call from sce&g to interview for the Chemistry specialist position at the vc summer nuclear facility.  Has anyone ever worked there or heard anything about it.  I have a degree in chemistry and have worked in the field for 8 years, but none of my experience is nuclear.  Any pointers would be helpful.

Thanks

[Rad Sponge]

Thanks for the insight and good luck Roni, I'm sure I will be seeing you soon.

R/ JMK

[Mike McFarlin]

Had a good job there in 1982. Good place to work, even though it was before start-up.

[Ops Nub]

i'm being interviewed for a health physics technician at the end of the month and i'm just trying to get any info i can about the company. i am a current navy rct.

[Carolina Jethro]

Lots of turnover there in the RP Dept lately... area is nice though.

[Neutron234]

What is the turnover like in the Ops Department? I am looking at an ops position at VC Summer and would like to become licensed as an RO at some point (a 5 year plan would be nice). Is this realistic there?

[RP Instructor]

Lots of turnover there in the RP Dept lately... area is nice though.

It's not exactly been "rats-off-a-sinking-ship".
1. One young lady got SCE&G to pay for here Associate's degree in HP and then she resigned to go work for Canberra.
2. One gentleman retired
3.Another gentleman had his position terminated
4. Another was promoted to a position in QA,
5. and another was promoted to HP Instructor.

For the most part, it has been normal attrition in the HP group. I've been at Summer for five (5) years now, and enjoy it there. The folks are great to work with. There are the malcontents (un-happy about one thing or another), the gossips, and the dumb-asses, but they soon make themselves known, and you steer clear of them.

As for the area around Summer, most folks live down around the Columbia, Lexington or Saluda areas. Newberry and Pomaria, which are west of the plant across the Broad River, is home to many folks too.


As for Operations, staff retention appears to be rather steady...very little turnover if any.

[RRhoads]

who said it was "rats off a sinking ship"??
The person just made a post saying that there was "lots of turnover in the HP dept lately"
That sounds about true for Summer Station, as there isn't much turnover or attrition at Summer.
Infact for a while in the early to late 90's there was hardly any if any.
Vc used to be a great place to work...I haven't been there in more than 10 years but it would have been a great place to go house & the area was great as well. Esp since they are poised to build a couple more units there(last i heard from a Certain QA person there  )

[shovelheadred]

....Hey,,JRPAWLAK...a Navy RCT?,,what is that?...are you an ELT...or on a tender?...I have worked VC as an HP, then it was RP,,then ALARA,,,and with Master-Lee as a Manipulator Crane Operator...some of the best people in the Nuclear Business, work at VC,,,,RP staff, great people,,refueling group just as good..Master-Lee will be there for the refueling and you can guarantee, they are top notch....Al Eidson is usually the site coordinator, not a better, more fair man in the business,,,so my opinion, whatever it matters is ,,VC would be one of my choices for the spring,,,however, GE has me going west, of the Mississippi, to a coal burner..no dose, no contamination...just sulpher and coal ash.....how bout that coal pile, Spanky?....red